Scottish higher education institutions are autonomous bodies, and any partnerships they enter are a matter for them and their governing bodies.

The Scottish Government expects Scottish universities to carefully consider and manage the reputational, ethical and security risks associated with any partnerships within global academic networks engaged in defence, surveillance, or dual-use technology research. This includes conducting due diligence, taking into account key sector guidance, and remaining compliant with relevant legal requirements, such as the National Security Act 2023 and National Security and Investment Act 2021.

The Scottish Government has continued to engage with UK Government regarding university collaborations with Chinese state-linked institutions. Whilst national security is reserved to the UK Government, we expect universities to comply with relevant legal requirements, including the National Security Act 2023, and National Security and Investment Act 2021.

The Scottish Government expects Scottish universities, as autonomous bodies, to consider and manage the reputational, ethical and security risks associated with international partnerships, and conduct appropriate due diligence.

The Scottish Government has made clear that it accepts the judgment of the Supreme Court.

Although universities are autonomous institutions, we expect them to be conducting due diligence on international research agreements - including complying with relevant legal requirements already in place and carefully considering guidance published by Universities UK, and the UK Government’s Research Collaboration Advice Team, to support them in managing risks of international partnerships.

The Scottish Government accepts the Supreme Court judgment.

The Supreme Court counselled against reading this judgment as a triumph of one or more groups in our society at the expense of another. It is not. The ruling gives clarity on the interpretation of two pieces of relevant legislation passed at Westminster. We will now engage on the implications of the ruling. Protecting the rights of all will underpin our actions. The Scottish Government acted in good faith in our interpretation of both the Gender Recognition Act 2004 and the Equality Act 2010; and as the Supreme Court recognised, our approach was consistent with advice then given by the EHRC.

The Scottish Government has no plans to issue additional guidance for universities and research institutions regarding collaboration with Chinese entities that UK intelligence agencies have deemed a security risk.

Universities are autonomous institutions and are responsible for ensuring their alliances and partnerships are safe and appropriate. Ministers expect all institutions to understand and manage the risks associated with international partnerships and conduct appropriate due diligence.

Whilst national security is reserved to the UK Government, we expect universities to comply with relevant legal requirements, including the National Security Act 2023, and National Security and Investment Act 2021. We also expect our universities to carefully consider advice and existing guidance from bodies such as Universities UK, and the UK Government’s Research Collaboration Advice Team, to support them in managing risks of international partnerships.

The Scottish Government expects Scottish universities, as autonomous bodies, to carefully consider and manage the reputational, ethical and security risks associated with pursuing joint research ventures within global academic networks. Alliances that universities form within these networks are a matter for them and their governing bodies, as long as they are within the law.

As part of this, we expect universities to carefully consider advice and existing guidance on international partnership risk management from bodies like Universities UK and the UK Government’s Research Collaboration Advice Team.

Additionally, the Universities should conduct due diligence in relation to national security, which is a matter reserved to the UK Government, and compliance comply with relevant legal requirements, such as the National Security Act 2023 and National Security and Investment Act 2021.

To date, we have never received a request from the business for such an intervention therefore no discussions have taken place.

Further to my answer to S6W-36894 on 13 May 2025, we understand that significant financial investment would be required to retain refinery operations at Grangemouth. Given the expansive fiscal levers at its disposal, the UK Government must utilise all routes to securing a sustainable future for the Refinery site.

All answers to written Parliamentary Questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/written-questions-and-answers

I have asked Teresa Medhurst, Chief Executive of the Scottish Prison Service (SPS), to respond. Her response is as follows:

The SPS seeks to be as open and transparent as possible, while also upholding our statutory obligation to protect the personal information of those in our care.

This information requested is not information held by the Scottish Prison Service.