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Featured: Restricting mobile phones in Scotland's schools
In 2024, the Scottish Government published guidance to support schools to manage the use of mobile phones in schools. This was updated in June 2026 , to further encourage education authorities and school leaders to limit the personal use of mobile phones in their schools. This could include a full...
Closes 17 November 2026
Open Consultations
Closed Consultations
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Council Tax High Value Property Bands (Mansion Tax)
The Scottish Government is seeking your views on the proposed rates for two new Council Tax bands for high-value residential properties in Scotland, commonly referred to as a “Mansion Tax”. Council Tax helps fund essential local services including schools, social care, roads, libraries and waste collection. All revenue raise from the two new Council Tax bands will be retained locally. ...
Closed 24 August 2026
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Prison population and penal reform: working towards sustainability
Scotland’s prison population is growing rapidly and reached record levels in May this year, with over 8,600 prisoners being held in an estate designed for 7,805. Scotland is not alone in this. England and Wales are facing similar challenges, as are other jurisdictions, driven in particular by increases in the number of long-term prisoners and longer average sentence lengths. ...
Closed 20 August 2026
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National Strategy for Community Justice: review of 2022 strategy
The National Strategy for Community Justice provides the direction for community justice across Scotland, setting out aims, ambitions and priority actions. In addition to delivering justice, a community justice approach seeks to address the underlying causes of offending behaviour, such as drug and alcohol addiction, and put people on a better path that reduces the likelihood of them...
Closed 20 August 2026
We Asked, You Said, We Did
Here are some of the issues we have consulted on and their outcomes. See all outcomes
We asked
What is your view on the proposal for Clyde herring in 2026?
You said
A range of responses were received, as can be found in the outcome report.
We did
Having considered the best available scientific information, the wider obligations and analysed all responses submitted through the consultation process, the TAC for 2026 has been recommended to the UK Secretary of State at 583 tonnes and retains the existing management measures.
We asked
Whether Scotland should amend the Renewables Obligation to implement BICS and exempt eligible businesses from ROS costs.
You said
Most agreed with alignment across Great Britain but raised concerns about transparency and supplier certainty.
We did
We will proceed with the legislative changes and work with UK Government to support an orderly introduction to the BICS scheme from 2027.
We asked
We consulted on a revised Stop and Search Code of Practice for Scotland between 10 February 2026 and 05 May 2026. The consultation sought views on whether the draft Code provided a clear, accessible and legally robust framework for the exercise of stop and search powers in Scotland. Questions focused on the clarity and scope of the Code, equality and human rights protections, strip and intimate searches, establishing sex for searches, safeguards for children and young people, guidance on supporting individuals requiring additional assistance, recording and oversight arrangements, and measures to support transparency and public confidence.
You said
We received responses from a range of organisations and individuals, including policing stakeholders, legal and human rights organisations, equality groups, children's organisations, third sector bodies and members of the public. While many respondents were supportive of the overall direction of the revised Code, feedback highlighted opportunities to strengthen guidance in a number of areas, such as:
- equality and human rights considerations
- communication and accessibility
- safeguards for children and young people
- support for individuals requiring additional support
- strip and intimate search procedure
- accountability, recording and oversight arrangements
We are grateful to everyone who took the time to respond.
We did
We are carefully considering all consultation responses while revising the Code. The full consultation analysis has now been published alongside the consultation responses, where permission was given for publication, and will assist in finalising the revised Code of Practice.