Scottish Parliament – Nov. 8, 2023 – 5

S6M-11127.2: As an amendment to motion S6M-11127 in the name of Siobhian Brown (CashBack for Communities), insert at end “;

recognises that the money recovered from the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 does not match the vast wealth accumulated by criminals in Scotland;

acknowledges that the activities of organised crime groups, including drug dealing, have a devastating impact on communities, resulting in a high number of deaths;

calls, therefore, on the Scottish Government to review the effectiveness of the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002, which was fully enacted in March 2004, with a view to increasing the amount of money that can be recovered, and urges the Scottish Government to update its Serious Organised Crime strategy to ensure that tackling damaging, high-level criminality remains a key priority of the justice system.”

Original motion(S6M-11127): That the Parliament commends the CashBack for Communities programme, which is now in its 15th year and sixth phase;

understands that the programme is unique to Scotland and reinvests money recovered under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002;

acknowledges that the aims of the programme are diversion from antisocial behaviour, provision of positive activity, support for wellbeing, and building confidence and skills for young people;

notes that, since its inception, the programme has committed £130 million to supporting around 1.3 million young people;

understands that, over the next three years, phase six of the programme is expected to reach around 34,000 young people;

welcomes and thanks the CashBack for Communities-funded partner organisations for their dedication, passion and hard work;

recognises the opportunities and benefits that the programme brings to children, young people, families and communities, and applauds the achievements of the many thousands of CashBack for Communities participants.