In Scotland, electronic tagging has mainly relied on older radio frequency (RF) equipment which is focused on home curfews or detention.

These devices are linked to a receiver in the offender's home and cannot track movements away from the property.

In 2016, an expert group recommended, external that Scottish authorities adopt GPS monitoring.

However, last year, the independent public body Community Justice Scotland (CJS) issued an urgent National Improvement Recommendation, external to the government urging it to accelerate the expansion of more sophisticated monitoring systems, including GPS.

The technology has been widely used in England and Wales since 2018 and there are plans to start imposing new restriction zones on offenders this autumn.

There was a slight uptick in the number of domestic abuse incidents recorded by police in Scotland last year.

Scottish government figures show almost 65,000 domestic abuse incidents were recorded in 2024-25 - a 2% increase on the previous year's figures but slightly lower than the 2020-21 peak.

Overall, there were 117 domestic abuse incidents per 100,000 people in Scotland.

Where information was recorded, more than four out of five victims of domestic abuse were women.

Separate figures from the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) also show a significant increase in domestic abuse charges.

In 2025-26, almost 35,000 charges were reported to the COPFS, a 14% jump on the previous year.

MSPs from all parties at Holyrood are now having their say.

You can continue to follow events in the chamber by clicking on the Watch live icon at the top of this page.

During his opening statement, the first minister also said he “unequivocally and emphatically” condemned violence against women and girls and wanted to “change and challenge" the behaviours that "underpin it within our society”.

John Swinney said he wanted to take a “public health preventative approach" to the issue and highlighted that early intervention was critical.

He said the government would invest in programmes like Equally Safe at School to encourage pupils at school to challenge harmful attitudes, and would push for strengthening the regulation of online platforms.

He also said, where preventative measures hadn’t worked, the government recognised the importance of the justice system acting as a deterrent.

Campaigners have previously called for the introduction of GPS monitoring, which could include individually assessed exclusion zones around victim's homes or workplaces and alerts that trigger police responses when conditions are breached.

Outlining his plans to tackle violence against women and girls, the first minister confirmed Global Positioning System (GPS) monitoring would be piloted for those on bail - including for those suspected of domestic abuse.

He said the pilot would being next year and would be led by Sheriff Principal Gillian Wade KC in the Tayside, Central and Fife sheriffdom.

Scottish ministers have previously faced criticism over the slow rollout of GPS equipment, which is used far less in Scotland than in some other countries.

Image source, Hunter family

This Holyrood debate comes after Scotland’s top law officer, Lord Advocate Ruth Charteris KC, said a rise in the number of domestic abuse charges was "concerning for all of us” following a number of high-profile cases.

Stacy Hunter was murdered by her estranged husband, Jim Mair, at her home near Houston in Renfrewshire in July. He was on bail for attacking her. His body was found nearby.

Her family has called for immediate action to protect victims of domestic abuse, after plans for a misogyny bill were announced by the Scottish government.

Another woman, who we have called Amy, told BBC Scotland that she was weeks away from marrying a violent serial rapist - who she fears would have eventually killed her if it wasn’t for the interventions of family and friends.

Image source, Getty Images

John Swinney's motion states: "That the Parliament condemns violence against women and girls in all its forms, noting that this includes physical, psychological and online abuse; acknowledges the significant damage and harm that such violence causes to women, girls and wider society; recognises that eradicating such violence requires a focus on prevention and on challenging the attitudes and behaviours that fundamentally underpin violence against women and girls, and agrees to demonstrate collective leadership in challenging and changing sexist and misogynistic attitudes among boys, men and those who seek to influence and stoke such damaging behaviour."

We now move on to a Holyrood debate where John Swinney will outline plans to tackle violence against women and girls.

Measures include permanently financing the £2m Fund To Leave scheme and piloting the GPS monitoring of suspected domestic abusers on bail.

Latest figures from the prosecution service show a rise in domestic abuse charges in Scotland - up 14% from the previous year.

Swinney will speak for about 30 minutes before MSPs join the debate.

This week's session of backbench questions to the first minister is winding up.

But stick with is as we'll now be shifting our attention to a debate on Scottish government plans to tackle domestic abuse.

John Swinney will lead the debate, which is titled Preventing Violence Against Women for an Equally Safe Scotland, and isdue to run until about 17:30.

Again, you can follow events in the Holyrood chamber by clicking on the Watch live icon at the top of this page.

Good afternoon and welcome to our live coverage of Tuesday's session of First Minister's Questions at the Scottish Parliament.

John Swinney will face questions from backbench MSPs for half an hour from about 14.30.

Then, from about 15:00, Swinney will lead a debate on Scottish government plans to tackle domestic violence.

You can follow events in the Holyrood chamber by clicking on the Watch live icon at the top of this page.