Funding for the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit: FOI release
Information request and response under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002.
Information requested
Appearing on BBC Scotland’s Debate Night programme on 28th May 2025, Kate Forbes was asked whether the Scottish Government is cutting the funding for the Scottish Violence Reduction Unit. She said: “We are not cutting their funding.”
Please provide the following information:
(1.) Was Kate Forbes’ statement true or false?
(2.) If it was true, please provide the documentary evidence which demonstrates that it was true. This information should relate specifically to the funding of the SVRU, and exclude any information not directly relevant to the question.
Response
The answer to your question is that her statement was true. As is normal, the allocation originally provided to the SVRU as part of the budget process for 2025/26 was indicative as demonstrated in the information released as a response to a previous FOI request, which you can find a link to here. However, in the process of finalising the allocation Ministers took the decision to increase the grant award by 4% on last year’s amount in recognition of the importance of the work, particularly in targeting young people.
I enclose a copy of all of the information you requested as PDFs attached to this email demonstrating the current SVRU funding amount which has been confirmed by ministers at this time.
About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at https://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.
Contact
Please quote the FOI reference
Central Correspondence Unit
Email: contactus@gov.scot
Phone: 0300 244 4000
The Scottish Government
St Andrew's House
Regent Road
Edinburgh
EH1 3DG