Scottish Violence Reduction Unit's funding explanation: FOI release

Information requested

An explanation of Kate Forbes' response given on the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit (SVRU) funding on BBC Scotland’s Debate Night programme on 28th May 2025, that the SVRU were facing a 3% cut to their funding for 2025-26.

Response

At 28 May, funding for the SVRU for 2025-26 was being progressed through the usual Scottish Government financial control and approval processes. Therefore, the figure quoted by the Scotsman newspaper at that point was merely indicative. This means the figure at the time was subject to change until, as with other funded partners, the SVRU would be provided with a confirmed grant offer letter for 2025/26.

The Scottish Government grant to the SVRU has been increased from £1.17 million in 2024/25 to just over £1.2 million for 2025/26. The SVRU was formally notified of the uplift on 29 May. It represents an increase of £47,000 (4%) on the SVRU’s grant allocation in 2024/25, and is an £82,000 (7%) increase on the earlier indicative grant allocation for 2025/26.

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