Latest news with #LiamMcArthur
The Herald Scotland
13-07-2025
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
More than 8,000 assaults recorded at Scottish prisons since 2021
The Scottish Liberal Democrats have hit out at the government over the figures, obtained by The Herald via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, with social justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP saying the data 'lays bare the crisis in our prisons under the SNP.' Between 2021 and 2024, prisoners at HMP Barlinnie committed 1,062 assaults on fellow inmates and 173 assaults on staff. Meanwhile, HMP Addiewell in West Lothian experienced 940 prisoner fights and 206 assaults on staff in the same timeframe, while YOI Polmont recorded 1,295 fights between young offenders and 110 staff attacks. Young offenders at Polmont committed more than 1400 assaults over the period. (Image: supplied) HMP Low Moss was also high on the list of violent altercations, recording 624 inmate and 103 staff assaults. Overall, 1,846 inmate fights and 326 staff assaults were recorded in 2021; followed by 1,481 and 239 in 2022; 1,633 and 318 in 2023; and a rise to 1,919 and 351 in 2024. That is a total of 8,113 assaults over the four year period. Responding to our findings, which were obtained through Freedom of Information (FOI) legislation, Mr McArthur compared the situation to a 'pressure cooker'. He said: 'Staff are going to their work in fear of being assaulted, increasingly encountering dangerous situations and unable to work with individuals to help improve their prospects. 'These pressure cooker conditions simply ramp up the chances of reoffending, adding to what is already a vicious cycle. 'Scottish Liberal Democrats have long raised awareness of the burgeoning problems in prisons, but ministers have failed to act with the urgency needed. It's time for a step change, and that begins with a properly funded justice system that can deliver robust and credible community sentences where appropriate.' Liberal Democrat MSP Liam McArthur has spoken out. (Image: PA) Initial figures from 2025 tell a similar story. As of April 30, 544 fights between inmates and 109 staff assaults were recorded across the 17 facilities which comprise Scotland's prison estate. Over the last several years, concerns over violence in Scotland's prisons have come to the fore, as the number of assaults on inmates and staff continue to rise. A Glasgow University study of adult male prisoners housed in Scottish jails found that 86% had suffered significant head injuries, which was linked to difficulties with social relationships, poor self-control, and clinical anxiety and depression. And Natalie Beal, chair of the Prisoners Governors Association Scotland, recently told The Herald that overcrowding in the nation's jails could lead to significant violence. She said: 'If we think about chronic stress on the system. It is not just the case of high population numbers, but high population numbers over a sustained period. "There are combined factors. What we are really concerned about is that something really small like 'my chips don't taste as good today', something that seems relatively insignificant in the wider picture of things, can and does trigger someone becoming really, really violent.' New legislation will allow 'short-term offenders' to be released after serving just 40% of their sentences. (Image: Getty/Derek McArthur) There are around 8,000 prisoners in Scotland's jails on a daily basis, one of the highest populations on record – and the third highest incarceration rate in Europe. To combat overcrowding, the Scottish Government will release 'short-term' offenders – those serving less than four years – after 40% of their sentence has been completed, rather than the previous 50%. Asked to reveal how many staff members had resigned due to mental health concerns, a Scottish Prison Service (SPS) information officer said: 'We do not hold information on those staff who have left our employment due to their mental ill health or employees who may have resigned citing their mental ill health as the reason. 'We can, however, identify employees who have left the service via capability dismissal whose reason for absence falls within the 'mental ill health' category.' According to the figures, 36 staff were dismissed due to mental ill health in 2021/22, 40 in 2022/23, 27 in 2023/24, and 25 in 2024/25. Read more: In a statement, a spokesperson for the Scottish Prison Service said: 'Our staff go above and beyond every day, supporting and caring for some of the most vulnerable people in society, and helping to build safer communities for all of Scotland. 'We recognise the importance of supporting their health and wellbeing, especially when the population they manage is as high and complex as it has been over the past 12 months. 'We continue to work in partnership to look at appropriate services, such as NHS Lothian's Lifelines Scotland resources, which provide a valuable tool for supporting their self-care, resilience, and recovery, while also signposting to other wellbeing services that are available to them.'
Scotsman
11-07-2025
- Climate
- Scotsman
Scotland heatwave: Demand for maximum workplace temperature as accidents warning issued
Scotland is bracing for a heatwave - but what are the rules if you are working? Sign up to our Politics newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Government ministers are being told to set a maximum workplace temperature as Scotland braces for a record-breaking heatwave. Temperatures are expected to hit 25C or higher for at least three consecutive days. The forecasts is for temperatures up to 30C for Glasgow, Stirlingshire, Angus and parts of the Highlands on Saturday. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad However, for those who are due to be at work during this heatwave, there is no set legal limit on how hot is too hot. When is it too hot to go to work? | Adobe Scottish Lib Dem MP Wendy Chamberlain said: 'Unfortunately, high temperatures are only going to become more common, so the faster we think about adaptation, the better. 'High temperatures are clearly a concern for workers and workplace representatives alike. They lead to more accidents and falling productivity, so reducing them can be a win-win. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Introducing a maximum workplace temperature and a duty for bosses to take action to keep their workers cool would be a sensible and humane step. From increasing ventilation to moving staff away from sources of heat, there are simple steps which can be taken to make workspaces a more pleasant place. 'I would like to see Scottish ministers take this issue up with their UK counterparts to see what can be done to give this legal force.' Wendy Chamberlain MP There is no maximum working temperature or legal limit of when it is deemed to be too hot to work. The UK Health and Safety Executive said: 'Every workplace is different. No meaningful upper limit can be imposed because in many indoor workplaces, high temperatures are not seasonal, but created by work activity - for example, in bakeries or foundries. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'However, employers must stick to health and safety at work law, including keeping the temperature at a comfortable level [and] providing clean and fresh air.' Similarly there is no legal minimum working temperature for when it gets too cold in the winter months, but there is guidance. This guidance states indoor workplaces should be at least 16C, or 13C if the work involves 'rigorous physical effort'. This comes as Scottish Lib Dem MSP Liam McArthur called on the Scottish Government to open up 'cool hubs' in public spaces with air conditioning and support for the fire service to deal with the threat of wildfires. In 2023, there were an estimated 2,295 deaths associated with the summer heatwave. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service has already warned of an 'extreme' wildfire risk in central and eastern Scotland, and there has been a spate of wildfires recently in Moray and the Highlands. Firefighters have been battling blazes across the Highlands and Moray. | SGA Media/Press Association Mr McArthur said places with air conditioning such as gyms, leisure centres and libraries should be made available for 'much needed respite' from the soaring temperatures. He said: 'The imminent hot weather could be very difficult for vulnerable and elderly people, and it also carries the risk of wildfires, which we have already seen breaking out across Scotland in recent years. 'It is only right that public spaces, which are there to serve their communities, are used to provide some much-needed relief during the sweltering temperatures.'
Daily Record
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Record
Almost 30,000 Scots women check if partners have secret violent past using police programme
The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland (DSDAS), also known as Clare's Law, gives women the right to ask police if a current or ex-partner has a record of abusive behavour. Almost 30,000 women have used a police programme to find out if their partner has a secret violent past since it was introduced. The Disclosure Scheme for Domestic Abuse in Scotland (DSDAS), also known as Clare's Law, gives women the right to ask police if a current or ex-partner has a record of abusive behavour. Data shows Police Scotland received 20,005 applications for background checks in the eight years to October 2023. A further 7296 were submitted between April 1, 2024, and March – up 23.4 per cent on the previous 12 months – taking the overall total to 27,300 based on available data. Out of the 20,005 applications, Police Scotland issued 11,599 disclosures that individuals had violent or abusive convictions. Data on the number issued in relation to the applications made in 2024-25 was not available. Scottish Tory MSP Pam Gosal, who is championing a Bill to help protect victims, warned the number using the scheme exposed the 'shocking prevalence of domestic violence in Scotland'. She said: 'Whilst it's welcome that this flagship scheme is being used, it remains the case that far too many women are at risk of abuse and are not receiving the support they desperately need. 'It is vital the SNP Government give their backing to my Prevention of Domestic Abuse (Scotland) Bill which is prog-ressing through Parliament and will help protect survivors, by providing our police force with the resources necessary to tackle this spiralling issue.' Scottish Lib Dem justice spokesperson Liam McArthur MSP said the data 'suggests awareness of this scheme is increasing'. He said: 'As with any change in the law, it is important the Parliament and the Scottish Government keep the effectiveness of this scheme under review so any teething problems can be ironed out. 'I would be keen to know what impact it has had on police workload and whether they feel they have the resources they need to meet the needs of this scheme.' Clare's Law was named after mum Clare Wood, 36, who was murdered and set on fire in 2009 by her ex-boyfriend George Appleton. Clare's dad Michael Brown, who is originally from Aberdeen, campaigned to allow people to check with police whether their partner had a record of abusive behaviour. The disclosure scheme gives victims and loved ones the right to ask police about an abuser's criminal background and also gives cops powers to proactively disclose information on those they feel pose a risk. Dr Marsha Scott, chief executive of Scottish Women's Aid, at the time welcomed efforts to 'give women more information, more tools, more control, as domestic abuse takes all of those away' but has called for a review to assess the scheme's effectiveness. There are concerns it can give a false sense of security to those told their partners have no past convictions as many domestic violence cases go unreported. Dr Scott said: ' Disclosure alone doesn't keep women safe – only a justice system that listens, understands and acts on the risk can do that. We look forward to an evaluation of the scheme to understand whether survivors feel safer after disclosure.' Five women were killed by violent partners in 'domestic homicides' last year. Data shows 39,323 domestic abuse crimes were recorded in 2024-25 – 3963 more than the 35,360 the previous year. Police Scotland recorded 64,993 incidents – 3424 more than the previous year's 61,509 reports, an increase of 5.6 per cent. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'.
Edinburgh Reporter
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Edinburgh Reporter
Increase in police stop and search numbers
Police Scotland conducted more than 40,000 street searches in a year, recovering contraband or leading to arrest in only a quarter of that number according to new figures. Data shows that officers carried out 40,070 stop and searches in 2024/25 – up 21.1% on the previous year – with illegal items recovered in less than a quarter of cases. It means in around 75% of cases officers failed to find weapons, drugs or stolen goods despite carrying out almost 8,500 additional searches compared to the previous year. Data shows the 'positive' rate fell by 4.1% and was 9% lower than the five-year average. Thousands of youngsters under 18, including some as young as 11, were among those subjected to street searches. Analysis shows 4,628 children under 18 were frisked with 3,759 proving cases 'negative', including 42 children aged under 12 with 40 searches failing to yield contraband. Scotland's human rights watchdog warned the rising number of street searches amid falling 'positive' results was 'potentially unlawful and disproportionate'. And the Scottish Liberal Democrats urged Police Scotland not to 'backslide' over their use of the tactic that has 'poisoned' relations between officers and the public in the past. Professor Angela O'Hagan, Chair of the Scottish Human Rights Commission, said: 'We recognise that the use of these powers impacts on every person's right to privacy, which is protected by the Human Rights Act and UN treaties. 'We know that use of stop and search police powers can disproportionately affect marginalised communities and young people. 'Last year, we reported to UN human rights bodies raising concerns about how stop and search powers are being used in Scotland calling them potentially unlawful and disproportionate. 'We will continue to work with the Scottish Government… to consider how these recommendations can be used to strengthen the protection of human rights for everybody in Scotland.' Scottish Liberal Democrat Justice spokesperson Liam McArthur says stop and search 'has its place'. He warned: 'In the past when it has run out of control, it has undermined community policing and poisoned the relationship between officers and the public. 'Under Alex Salmond's SNP, stop and search was used on kids who were younger than 10. The dismantling of this policy was a win-win for both people's rights and police resources. 'Search numbers decreased dramatically, detection rates improved and the fact every search requires proper justification meant both the police and public had greater confidence in the system.' Mr McArthur added: 'Both Police Scotland and Scottish ministers should be extremely wary about backsliding towards a world where stop and search is treated as the only solution and community policing and investment like youth work is ignored.' Stop-and-search is a controversial tactic that allows officers to stop, question and search anyone suspected of doing something illegal, including carrying drugs or weapons such as knives. It is regarded by Police Scotland to be a 'valuable policing tactic which helps prevent, investigate and detect crime to keep people safe' and a key tool in tackling crime, particularly the rise in knife crime. Data shows that of the 40,070 frisks carried out, 7804 led to the recovery of drugs, 929 found weapons and 805 recovered stolen property. Of those that recovered weapons, 132 were confiscated from 12-15 year olds, with a further 97 removed from 16-17 year olds. Scottish Conservative shadow minister for community safety Sharon Dowey backed stop and search as an 'essential tool for officers to help crackdown on the growing epidemic of youth violence in our communities'. She said: 'Frontline officers have recently demanded an extension to these powers and John Swinney should listen to them. 'While the public will expect any greater powers to be used appropriately, the onus is on the SNP to support our officers to help keep our communities safe.' Chief Constable Jo Farrell insists stop and search is a 'really valuable policing tactic to remove weapons from pockets'. She said: 'Reducing violence and preventing the harm it is causing continues to be an absolute priority. 'We have a high compliance rate with our code of practice and we have an online dashboard around stop and search, so there is accountability and transparency around the use of the tactic and it is conducted by local officers who know their communities best. 'At the same time, we must continually work with partners to understand and tackle the complex issues around youth violence.' Chief Constable Jo Farrell Photo Credit: Allan Bovill Like this: Like Related
Scotsman
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
News presenter Clive Myrie to appear in Festival of Politics at Scottish Parliament
Clive Myrie will appear at this year's Festival of Politics at the Scottish Parliament | screenshot BBC foreign correspondent and news presenter Clive Myrie is to appear at this year's Festival of Politics at the Scottish Parliament. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... The award-winning journalist, who has reported from conflict zones, including Ukraine and Iraq, as well as hosting Mastermind and a series of travel programmes, will be interviewed about his 30-year broadcasting career by parliament deputy presiding officer Liam McArthur. Also appearing at the Festival of Politics is Oxford professor Danny Dorling, described as the UK's best known social geographer. He will will explore the impact of politics on the UK's housing, education, poverty and inequality levels, and will offer robust solutions on how to address these challenges of the age. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Clive Myrie will appear at this year's Festival of Politics at the Scottish Parliament | screenshot The three-day Festival, based at the Holyrood parliament building, has more than 30 events between Wednesday 20 and Friday 22 August 2025. The programme features leading experts from the worlds of politics, the arts, business, the media and the third sector. And the sessions will focus on some of the big issues facing Scotland, the UK and the world such as the use of AI, peace in the Middle East, how to tackle misogyny and the use of technology. Presiding officer Alison Johnstone said: 'This year's Festival promises lively debates, thought-provoking panels and inspiring voices tackling some of the most pressing social, political and environmental issues of our time.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad There is also a free programme of entertainment, exhibitions and even a robot in the Festival Café Bar. Tickets can be booked now on our website: Most events will be available to view on our YouTube channel after the Festival has finished for those unable to attend in-person.
