Scotland – Strategy, Policy, Legislation (SPL) – Dr Addy's – Scottish Anti-Racism Resource Library (ARRL)

Scotland – Strategy, Policy, Legislation (SPL)

Scotland – Most Significant Strategy, Policy, Legislation (SPL)

Scotland – Strategy, Policy, Legislation (SPL)

Link	Description
1998: Devolution – The Scotland Act 1998	Following a referendum, the Scotland Act (1998) led to the devolution of Scotland.
1998: UK Government – Report of the Consultative Steering Group on the Scottish Parliament ‘Shaping Scotland’s Parliament’	The Scottish Parliament was founded on four key principles outlined by the Consultative Steering Group (Scottish Government, 1998): 1) Power Sharing, 2) Accountability, 3) Access and Participation, 4) Equal Opportunities.
1999: Scottish Government – The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Action Plan for Scotland	The Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Action Plan for Scotland laid out how the Scottish Government intended to implement the findings of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry. The document (Scottish Government, 1999) lays out Ministerial recommendations as well as actions with defined responsibilities.
2000: Scottish Government – Diversity in the Scottish Executive: Strategy for Change	Strategy not found – referenced in the Anti-Racism Policy Review (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, 2001).
2001: Scottish Government – Making it Real: A Race Equality Strategy for Scotland	Report not found – referenced in the Anti-Racism Policy Review (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, 2001).
2002: Committing to Race Equality	While no direct publication with that exact title is immediately found in search results strategy is referenced in later reviews of policy by the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, 2001).
2002: Scottish Executive Health Department (SEHD) – Health Department Letter (HDL) 51 – Working towards Culturally Competent Services	The SEHD HDL 51 – Working Towards Culturally Competent Services was a document issued by the Scottish Executive Health Department in 2002 that provided guidance for NHS Scotland to develop culturally competent healthcare services. Following the publication of the earlier "Fair for All" policy, this HDL aimed to extend the principles of recognising and responding to the individual needs, backgrounds, and circumstances of people from diverse communities within the Scottish health service, promoting a "culturally competent NHS Scotland".
2002: Scottish Government – Scottish Executive Response to Review of BME Funding	Report not found – referenced in the Anti-Racism Policy Review (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, 2001).
2002: Working Together for Race Equality: The Scottish Executive’s Race Equality Scheme	While no direct publication with that exact title is immediately found in search results strategy is referenced in later reviews of policy by the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, 2001).
2004: Scottish Government – Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy	Strategy not found – referenced in the Anti-Racism Policy Review (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, 2001).
2004: Scottish Government – The Diversity Strategy 2004 and Beyond	Strategy not found – referenced in the Anti-Racism Policy Review (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, 2001).
2005: The Scottish Community Development Centre and Scottish Government – National Standards for Community Engagement	The National Standards for Community Engagement (NSfCE) are a set of good-practice principles launched in Scotland in 2005 to support and improve community engagement, commissioned by the Scottish Government. Co-produced with practitioners, these standards, including principles of inclusion, equality, clear purposes, and learning from experience, are designed to guide and inform community planning and user involvement in areas like health and social care. They were refreshed in 2016 and continue to be accepted as key principles for effective practice.
2006: Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act	The Scottish Commission for Human Rights Act 2006 was an act of the Scottish Parliament that established the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC). Its main purpose was to create an independent public body to promote and protect human rights in Scotland, giving it a general duty to encourage best practices and providing it with specific powers like conducting inquiries and intervening in civil proceedings.
2006: Scottish Executive Departmental Delivery Plan	Plan not found – referenced in the Anti-Racism Policy Review (Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights, 2001).
2007: National Performance Framework for Scotland	The National Performance Framework (NPF) in Scotland was first created by the Scottish Government in 2007. This framework was introduced to set out the government's vision for the collective wellbeing of Scotland and to guide its approach to achieving that vision. The NPF was designed to be a strategic tool, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and focusing on a balanced approach to economic, social, and environmental progress.
2008: Scottish Government – Race Equality Statement 2008-2011	Taking into account our public sector equality duties and drawing on the evidence from our stakeholders, our Review of Race Equality Work in Scotland and the work of the Equal Opportunities Committee of the Scottish Parliament, we will structure our work towards race/ equality and refugee integration around the following themes: Improved opportunities for people from minority ethnic (including Gypsy/Traveller), refugee, asylum seeker and faith communities – taking action to address the barriers which are at present preventing people from those communities from achieving what they are capable of. More responsive communities, where people from minority ethnic (including Gypsy/Traveller), refugee, asylum seeker and faith communities are better supported by services, whether specialist or mainstream. Safer communities, with lasting connections between people from all communities – minority ethnic (including Gypsy/Traveller), refugee, asylum seeker and faith communities and the wider community. Communities where all feel valued and able to live safely, respecting and valuing the contributions of all. Communities where hate crime based on race or faith is tackled effectively and where such crimes, in time, are reduced. More active and vibrant communities, with increased participation by people from minority ethnic (including Gypsy/Traveller), refugee, asylum seeker and faith communities in all aspects of mainstream community and civic activity. Increased engagement will help the integration and strengthening of community relations and develop understanding of our shared goals and aspirations. It will also contribute to the delivery of better services and provisions as the needs of communities become better understood.
2011: Scottish Government – Open Government Partnership Created	In 2011, eight countries including the UK, Brazil, and the US, launched the Open Government Partnership (OGP), an international initiative to foster government transparency, accountability, and public participation by promoting an "open government" model. The founding members adopted the Open Government Declaration and developed National Action Plans with specific commitments to improve governance and harness technology, establishing a multi-stakeholder platform for government and civil society to collaborate on reforms
2012: Scottish Government – The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations	The specific duties for Scotland were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 21 March 2012 and came into force on 27 May 2012.The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 requires public authorities including the Scottish Government to publish equality outcomes which it will work to achieve. In 2021, the Scottish Government set out a suite of equality outcomes to cover the period up to 2025.
2012: The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations	The Scottish Specific Duties were created by secondary legislation in the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012. The specific duties for Scotland were laid before the Scottish Parliament on 21 March 2012 and came into force on 27 May 2012. The purpose of the specific duties in Scotland is to help those authorities listed in the Regulations in their performance of the general equality duty . • Duty to report on mainstreaming the equality duty • Duty to publish equality outcomes and report progress • Duty to assess and review policies and practices • Duty to gather and use employee information • Duty to publish gender pay gap information • Duty to publish statements on equal pay, etc • Duty to consider award criteria and conditions in relation to public procurement • Duty to publish in a manner that is accessible, etc • Duty of the Scottish Ministers to publish proposals to enable better performance The Equality Act & Scottish Specific Duties are significant when considering anti-racism in Scotland, as they contain arguably the clearest legally mandated requirements for public Sector Bodies
2013: Scotland’s National Human Rights Action Plan (SNAP) 2013 – 2017	The bold vision of Scotland’s first National Action Plan for Human Rights (SNAP). It reflects the vision set out in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) which is the foundation of modern human rights. SNAP is a practical roadmap for the progressive realisation by Scotland of the internationally recognised human rights first set down in the UDHR.
2013: The National Library of Scotland Act 2012 (Consequential Modifications) Order
2013: The Police and Fire Reform (Scotland) Act 2012 (Consequential Modifications and Savings) Order
2014: Courts Reform (Scotland) Act
2014: Developing the young workforce: Scotland’s youth employment strategy – gov.scot	Sets out how the Scottish Government will implement the recommendations from the Commission for Developing Scotland's Young Workforce.
2015: Apprenticeship Equality Action Plan Final Report 2015-2021	Skills Development Scotland (SDS) implements the Equality Action Plan for Modern Apprenticeships in Scotland by setting targets for underrepresented groups, using equality data to monitor progress, and embedding equality and diversity principles into their services. Key activities include working with partners to remove barriers for disabled people, care leavers, and women, providing support to providers and employers, and encouraging inclusive recruitment practices.
2015: Scottish Government – Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015	The Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 will help to empower community bodies through the ownership or control of land and buildings, and by strengthening their voices in decisions about public services. There are 11 topics covered by the Act.
2015: The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations	The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2015, made by the Scottish Ministers, amended the 2012 Regulations to include newly created public bodies and revise existing timelines for reporting. Specifically, it modified the list of public authorities covered and adjusted the deadlines for compliance with certain duties, particularly concerning gender pay gap information and equal pay statements. Key Changes: • Adding New Public Authorities: The regulations added several newly created public bodies to the list of those covered by the specific duties. • Modifying Compliance Dates: The regulations adjusted the dates by which these new authorities were required to comply with certain duties. • Revised Gender Pay Gap Reporting: The regulations revised the timelines for publishing gender pay gap information and equal pay statements under regulations 7 and 8 of the 2012 Regulations, requiring publication for most authorities except those with fewer than 20 employees.
2015: The Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015	The non-prosecution of trafficking victims is legislated for under Section 8 of the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015.
2015: The National Standards for Community Engagement	The National Standards for Community Engagement were developed by What Works Scotland and the Scottish Community Development Centre (SCDC) following the Community Empowerment (Scotland) Act 2015 to strengthen participation and engagement practices across Scotland. The standards serve as a benchmark for best practice in community engagement, outlining principles such as inclusion, planning, working together, communication, and impact to help achieve high-quality results and empowerment.
2015: The Public Contracts (Scotland) Regulations
2016 – Scottish Government – Ethnic diversity of UK boards: the Parker Review	This Parker Review considers how to improve the ethnic and cultural diversity of UK boards to better reflect their employee base and the communities they serve. The report sets out objectives and timescales to encourage greater diversity, and provides practical tools to help business leaders to address the issue (Parker Review Committee, 2016).
2016: Open Government Partnership Scottish National Action Plan 2016 – 2017	Scottish Government and Scottish Civil Society share the values of Open Government which aim to foster openness, transparency and citizen participation. This is Scotland’s first Open Government National Action Plan. It has been developed jointly by the Scottish Government and the Scottish Civil Society Network with the Open Government Partnership (OGP).
2016: Scotland SPL – A Fairer Scotland for Disabled People: delivery plan
2016: Scotland SPL – Race Equality Framework (REF) for Scotland 2016 to 2030	In 2016, the Scottish Government published the Race Equality Framework (REF) for Scotland. CRER provided the Scottish Government with independent support in the development and delivery of the Framework. The content of the Framework was developed with input from key stakeholders and drafted collaboratively, with the Scottish Government and CRER both contributing and editing on an ongoing basis. The REF sets out how the Scottish Government aims to progress this ambition over a 15-year period from 2016 to 2030. In this document there is vision for Scotland in 2030 to be a country “where people are healthier, happier and treated with respect, and where opportunities, wealth and power are more equally spread.
2016: Scottish Government – Fairer Scotland Action Plan	The 2016: Fairer Scotland Action Plan was a Scottish Government initiative to reduce poverty and inequality through 50 specific actions across five key areas. Published in October 2016 after extensive public consultation, it outlined a long-term commitment to working with communities and organizations to build a fairer, more equal Scotland by improving public services, social security, employment opportunities, and public participation.
2016: The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2016	The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2016 primarily focused on enhancing gender pay gap reporting and introducing requirements for listed authorities to gather and utilise information on board diversity to better perform the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
2016: The Race Equality Framework (REF) for Scotland	The Race Equality Framework (REF) for Scotland sets out how the Scottish Government aims to progress this ambition over a 15-year period from 2016 to 2030. In this document, there is a vision for Scotland in 2030 to be a country “where people are healthier, happier and treated with respect, and where opportunities, wealth and power are more equally spread.
2017: Scotland’s Equality Evidence Strategy 2017-2021	This equality evidence strategy will outline our general approach to strengthening Scotland's equality evidence base and filling evidence gaps over the next four years. It will set out where there are evidence gaps and, where possible and applicable, it will link the evidence gaps identified to the relevant policy, programmes, legislation, and measurement frameworks. For example, a high priority evidence gap for the Scottish Government could link directly to an existing policy programme such as the Race Equality Framework or a measurement framework such as the National Performance Framework [6] . Other public sector organisations and local communities may have a different understanding of their data and their priorities, and new analytical insights developed to evidence these should be shared widely to help strengthen Scotland's equality evidence base.
2017: Scotland’s Second National Human Rights Action Plan (SNAP2)	SNAP 2 is Scotland’s second national human rights action plan. Its vision is a Scotland where everyone can live with human dignity. SNAP 2 will run from 2023 to 2030 and build on the achievements of SNAP 1, which ran from 2013 to 2017. SNAP 2 is guided and underpinned by fundamental human rights principles that apply to all the actions. There are eight key priorities, which reflect some of the major issues that currently affect people in Scotland, as well as universal human rights that should be respected, protected, and fulfilled.
2017: Scottish Government – A Fairer Scotland for All: Race Equality Action Plan (REAP) 2017-21	The race equality action plan sets out the key actions for the Scottish Government to drive positive change for minority ethnic communities.
2018: Scotland Legislation – The Fairer Scotland Duty	The Fairer Scotland Duty is a legal responsibility placed on certain public bodies in Scotland to actively reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage when making strategic decisions. Introduced in April 2018, it requires these bodies to consider how their decisions can help people experiencing poverty have the same life chances as those who do not. This involves carrying out an assessment to show how the duty has been met, influencing decisions before they are made, and being a meaningful part of the process.
2018: Scotland SPL – A Connected Scotland: our strategy for tackling social isolation and loneliness and building stronger social connections	The Scottish Government’s first national strategy to tackle social isolation and loneliness and build stronger social connections.
2018: Scotland’s Open Government action plan 2018 to 2020: Detailed Commitments
2018: The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations
2019: Scotland SPL – A Fairer Scotland for Older People: framework for action	This framework has been developed to challenge the inequalities older people face as they age and to celebrate older people in Scotland.
2019: Scotland SPL – A fairer Scotland for women: gender pay gap action plan
2021: National Taskforce for Human Rights – Leadership Report & Recommendations	Among their 30 Recommendations, the National Taskforce for Human Rights recommends 3 on the incorporation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) to ensure full and equal enjoyment of rights by minority ethnic people. They state that this policy objective is to enable the full and equal enjoyment of all of the above rights for minority ethnic people. The benefits of incorporation would go beyond litigation and bring a dynamism and cohesion to existing initiatives. For example, access to the rights within CERD would significantly strengthen the existing Public Sector Equality Duty and the Fairer Scotland Duty through making duty-bearers more accountable to take more proactive and outcomes-focused actions. They assert incorporation of CERD would demonstrate a commitment beyond only symbolism and would build upon the current post-Covid heightened awareness of inequalities and further shift public perceptions and understanding of the underlying causes of continued racial discrimination. Recommendation 4 focuses on the incorporation of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD). But it is noted that beyond this there is no further explanation or discussion (underneath this section it speaks about disability, I am not sure if this was an error or if they are trying to highlight intersectionality).
2021: Public Sector Equality Duty in Scotland – Consultation Stage 1	The Scottish Government have been considering improvements to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) in Scotland. The consultation sought views on specific and detailed and ambitious proposals to improve the current regime, including: Improving the overall cohesiveness and reducing perceived bureaucracy. Improving the use of lived experience and participatory policy making. Making better use of equality evidence and data. Improving leadership, particularly from the Scottish Government. Stage One involved engagement between the Scottish Government, equality stakeholders, and listed authorities in 2021 to understand which aspects of the PSED were working well and to identify areas for improvement.
2021: Public Sector Equality Duty in Scotland – Consultation Stage 2	The Scottish Government have been considering improvements to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) in Scotland. The consultation sought views on specific and detailed and ambitious proposals to improve the current regime, including: Improving the overall cohesiveness and reducing perceived bureaucracy. Improving the use of lived experience and participatory policy making. Making better use of equality evidence and data. Improving leadership, particularly from the Scottish Government. Stage Two: involved a public consultation on specific and detailed proposals to improve the current regime. Our consultation ran from December 2021 to April 2022.
2021: Race Equality Immediate Priorities Plan (IPP)	The Immediate Priorities Plan (IPP) is based on delivering on the recommendations of the Expert Reference Group (ERG) on COVID-19 and Ethnicity. The IPP focuses on supporting communities to recover from COVID-19 while implementing the recommendations of the Expert Reference Group on COVID-19 and Ethnicity (ERG). As such, there is a need to ensure there is an ongoing focus on implementing the REF that may have been lost through pivoting to responding to the pandemic. A significant proportion of the ERG recommendations focus on systemic and structural change. A key recommendation of the ERG was to establish an external body to provide a range of functions, including oversight and governance. Recommendation 7 was to set up external governance to review race equality work, and the formation of an observatory
2021: Scottish Government – Expert Reference Group (ERG) on COVID-19 and Ethnicity Established	The Expert Reference Group (ERG) on COVID-19 and Ethnicity was established by Scottish Government “to ensure that they had an accurate understanding of the impact of COVID-19 on minority ethnic and migrant communities in Scotland, and that policy responses reflected this. It was also asserted that there is a need to work on improving existing systems and processes, and analysing what we know, while at the same time looking more fundamentally at how the system itself needs to change. The ERG was asked to provide advice and recommendations by the Scottish Government in relation to data, evidence, risk and systemic issues. Two subgroups of the ERG were formed: one to review health data and evidence, and the other to examine systemic issues and risk
2021: Scottish Government – Fairer Scotland Duty	The Fairer Scotland Duty (the Duty) came into force on 1 April 2018 and places a legal responsibility on named public bodies in Scotland to actively consider (‘pay due regard’ to) how they can reduce inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage, when making strategic decisions. The Fairer Scotland Duty, set out in Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, came into force in Scotland from 1 April 2018. When deciding how to fulfil the Duty, the Equality Act 2010 requires those public bodies to take into account this statutory guidance issued by Scottish Ministers.
2021: Scottish Government – The Race Equality and Anti-Racism in Education Programme (REAREP)	The Race Equality and Anti-Racism in Education Programme (REAREP) was established in early 2021, following a three month period of stakeholder engagement with more than 50 education and race equality stakeholders, including young people. This was in response to the public discourse on the Black Lives Matters movement, and the significant amount of correspondence received by then Cabinet Secretary for Education, John Swinney on how the movement impacts on provision of education in Scotland’s schools.
2021: Scottish Government Race Recruitment and Retention Action Plan – An Instigation for Change	The Scottish Government's 2021 Race Recruitment and Retention Action Plan, titled "An Instigation for Change," is a strategy aimed at creating a more diverse and inclusive workplace by addressing racial inequality in recruitment and retention within the Scottish Government. The plan outlines five key priorities focused on embedding responsibility, improving leadership and decision-making, enhancing recruitment and representation, promoting career progression, and building an anti-racist culture. “the Race Recruitment and Retention Action Plan, is informed by rising public awareness of the Black Lives Matter movement over 2020 and contains some of the clearest commitments to anti-racist action made by Scottish Government since devolution”
2021: The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations
2021: The Immediate Priorities Plan (IPP)	The Immediate Priorities Plan (IPP) is based on delivering on the recommendations of the Expert Reference Group (ERG) on COVID-19 and Ethnicity. The IPP focuses on supporting communities to recover from COVID-19 while implementing the recommendations of the Expert Reference Group on COVID-19 and Ethnicity (ERG). As such, there is a need to ensure there is an ongoing focus on implementing the REF that may have been lost through pivoting to responding to the pandemic. A significant proportion of the ERG recommendations focus on systemic and structural change. A key recommendation of the ERG was to establish an external body to provide a range of functions, including oversight and governance. Recommendation 7 was to set up external governance to review race equality work, and the formation of an observatory
2022: Public Sector Equality Duty in Scotland – Consultation Stage 2 Findings	The Scottish Government have been considering improvements to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) in Scotland. The consultation sought views on specific and detailed and ambitious proposals to improve the current regime, including: Improving the overall cohesiveness and reducing perceived bureaucracy. Improving the use of lived experience and participatory policy making. Making better use of equality evidence and data. Improving leadership, particularly from the Scottish Government. Stage Two: involved a public consultation on specific and detailed proposals to improve the current regime. Our consultation ran from December 2021 to April 2022. The independent analysis of the responses to the consultation was published on 30 November 2022.
2022: Scotland SPL – Fair Work Action Plan: Becoming a Leading Fair Work Nation by 2025
2022: Scottish Government – Data Collection and Publication – Ethnic Group: Guidance	Guidance for public bodies on the collection of data on ethnic group.
2022: Scottish Government – Updated Guidance for Public Bodies on Collecting Data on the Ethnicity of People in Scotland	In 2022, the Scottish Government published updated guidance for public bodies on collecting data on the ethnicity of people in Scotland. This includes recommended questions, guidance for interviewers and guidance on the analysis and presentation of results.
2022: The Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group (AIGG) is Established	An independent Anti-Racism Interim Governance Group (AIGG) to Develop National Anti-Racism Infrastructure (AIGG) has been established, comprised of people with expertise and lived experience of racism. The purpose of the group is to: • provide independent oversight and to hold Scottish Government accountable for progress against the actions in the Race Equality Immediate Priorities Plan (IPP) • provide scrutiny and advice on the work to establish a programme of systemic change on race equality • consider, gather evidence, and propose the model to support the establishment of an independent observatory • support and advise on the transition to a permanent governance body provide advice and feedback to Scottish ministers.
2022: The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations
2023: Public sector Equality Duty in Scotland: Consultation Stage 3	The Scottish Government have been considering improvements to the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) in Scotland. The consultation sought views on specific and detailed and ambitious proposals to improve the current regime. Public Sector Equality Duty Review Stage Three is part of a broader review, which focuses on legislative changes and enhancing the wider implementation environment of the Scottish Specific Duties (SSDs). In April 2023 Emma Roddick MSP, Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees stated that “we also commissioned independent research on international best practice in relation to equality duties to help inform policy development. This research is now complete and will be published on the Scottish Government website in due course. This will inform our thinking about further changes to the PSED regime in Scotland over the longer-term.
2023: Scotland SPL – British Sign Language (BSL): national plan 2023 to 2029	Sets out a range of government actions to tackle barriers faced by British Sign Language (BSL) users to help make Scotland the best place in the world for BSL users to live, work, visit and learn.
2023: Scotland SPL – Equality Data Improvement Programme (EDIP) Project Board	The EDIP project board was established in April 2021 and comprises Scottish Government officials and representatives from a range of external public sector bodies with a key interest in mainstreaming equalities. The project board is co-chaired by the Scottish Government’s chief statistician and chief social researcher. Within the Scottish Government, the EDIP is led by officials in Communities Analysis Division (CAD), and the senior responsible officer is the head of CAD. The EDIP reports to the Minister for Equalities, Migration and Refugees.
2023: Scotland SPL – Equally Safe 2023 – Preventing and Eradicating Violence Against Women and Girls: Strategy	The Scottish Government and COSLA's commitment to preventing and eradicating this violence and addressing the underlying attitudes and systems that perpetuate it.
2023: Scotland SPL – Non-Binary Equality Action Plan	The actions we will take to improve equality and bring about real, positive and lasting change to the lives of non-binary people in Scotland
2023: Scotland SPL – Scotland’s Equality Evidence Strategy 2023-2025
2023: Scotland SPL – Scottish Government – Hate Crime Strategy	Sets out our key priorities for tackling hate crime and prejudice in Scotland. This strategy has been developed in partnership with our Hate Crime Strategic Partnership Group and the voices of those with lived experience. The strategy focuses on three key aims: improving support for victims, enhancing data and evidence, and developing effective approaches to preventing hate crime. Central to this was implementing the Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021, which came into force on 1 April 2024 and protects against offences aggravated by prejudice. Developed in collaboration with expert partners, this work addresses the profound impacts of hate crime on individuals and communities.
2023: Scotland SPL – Social Isolation and Loneliness: Recovering Our Connections 2023 to 2026	A Plan to take forward the delivery of A Connected Scotland – our strategy for tackling social isolation and loneliness and building stronger social connections
2024: Addressing Racism as a Significant Public Health Issue – Statement by the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care	Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care Neil Gray has issued a statement identifying racism as a significant public health challenge, and a key cause of health inequalities. Echoing the First Minister and other Scottish Government ministers’ comments on racism in the wake of recent violence in other parts of the United Kingdom, the Health Secretary has outlined various measures, including asking health boards to develop and deliver their own anti-racism plans.
2024: Anti-Racism Plans – Guidance – Health Workforce Directorate and Directorate for Population Health
2024: Equality Evidence Strategy 2023-2025: Interim Review	The report contains an interim review of the Equality Evidence Strategy 2023-2025. It outlines progress and learnings to date, as well as identifying key next steps to take forward for the final year of the Strategy.
2024: New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy: Delivery Plan 2024 to 2026	The New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy, jointly led by the Scottish Government, COSLA, and Scottish Refugee Council, supports the integration of refugees, people seeking asylum, and other forced migrants into Scotland’s communities. Published in March 2024, the refreshed strategy builds on the pioneering New Scots approach which has been in place for over a decade, while addressing the impact of changes in asylum legislation and large-scale relocations and resettlement of people from Afghanistan and Ukraine. It seeks to advance equality, eliminate discrimination, and foster good relations by promoting integration within safe and welcoming communities, recognising rights and responsibilities, and celebrating the diversity and strengths New Scots bring. Guided by a rights-based approach and meaningful participation of New Scots, the strategy ensures their needs, rights, and aspirations shape policy and decision-making. Through collaboration with organisations and communities, it provides integration support from day one of arrival, creating inclusive and resilient communities across Scotland. The New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy: Delivery Plan 2024-2026 was published in July 2024 and contains the actions that New Scots partners are undertaking to deliver the strategy. This includes actions on a number of areas which are key for New Scots, such as a national advice and information helpline, as well as improving support around the recognition of qualifications and information on routes into employment. The delivery plan will be reviewed annually to reflect changing context, new actions required and progress. The first review will be undertaken in summer 2025
2024: NHS Scotland – ‘Once for Scotland’ Workforce Policies: Consultation	The NHSScotland 'Once for Scotland' Workforce policies programme is designed to review and transform existing workforce policies (previously known as Partnership Information Network (PIN) Policies). This consultation focuses on 8 refreshed workforce policies.
2024: Scotland SPL – Diversity and Inclusion Employer Strategy for Scottish Government	This diversity and inclusion strategy is a call to action to all leaders, managers and employees in the Scottish Government to disrupt the status quo, to adapt, innovate and to challenge with psychological safety.
2024: Scotland SPL – Equality Evidence Strategy 2023-2025: Interim Review	The report contains an interim review of the Equality Evidence Strategy 2023-2025. It outlines progress and learnings to date, as well as identifying key next steps to take forward for the final year of the Strategy.
2024: Scotland SPL – Equally Safe: Delivery Plan
2024: Scotland SPL – Improving the Lives of Scotland’s Gypsy/Travellers 2: Pction Plan 2024-2026
2024: Scotland SPL – New Scots Refugee Integration Strategy: 2024	A strategy supporting the integration of refugees, people seeking asylum and other forced migrants within Scotland’s communities. The strategy is led jointly by the Scottish Government, COSLA and Scottish Refugee Council.
2024: Scottish Government – UNCRC (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 – Statutory Guidance	The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024 is a law that makes the UNCRC part of Scottish law. This means public authorities in Scotland cannot act in a way that is incompatible with the rights outlined in the UNCRC. The Act gives courts the power to decide if legislation is compatible, allows the Children and Young People's Commissioner to take legal action for children's rights, and requires the government to create a Children's Rights Scheme to show how it is meeting these requirements. This document provides guidance and accessible information which supports public authorities to understand and fulfil their duties under section 6 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) Act, and to secure better or further effect of children’s rights.
2024: Scottish SPL – Minority Ethnic Women’s Experiences in Scotland 2024: Intersectional Evidence	This document explores evidence on the experiences of minority ethnic women living in Scotland as a route to examining the importance of intersectional analysis, plus the opportunities and challenges of taking an intersectional approach in data collection, analysis and reporting.
2024: The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Amendment Regulations
2024: The Revised National Standards for Community Engagement & Participation Handbook	The National Standards for Community Engagement are Scotland’s good- practice principles designed to support and inform the process of community engagement, and improve what happens as a result. They describe the main elements of effective community engagement, and set out detailed performance statements that everyone involved can use to achieve the highest quality results and the greatest impact. They are intended to act as a central benchmark and reference point for best practice, and have been widely accepted by a range of practitioners as key principles for effective practice. There are seven standards: Inclusion: we will identify and involve the people and organisations that are affected by the focus of the engagement Support: we will identify and overcome any barriers to participation Planning: there is a clear purpose for the engagement, which is based on a shared understanding of community needs and ambitions Working together: we will work effectively together to achieve the aims of the engagement Methods: we will use methods of engagement that are fit for purpose Communication: we will communicate clearly and regularly with the people, organisations and communities affected by the engagement Impact: we will assess the impact of the engagement and use what we have learned to improve our future community engagement
2024: United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act	United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (Incorporation) (Scotland) Act 2024
2025: Human Rights Bill for Scotland: Discussion Paper	This discussion paper sets out the Scottish Government’s current thinking on a potential new Human Rights Bill for Scotland. The Scottish Government has committed to passing a new Human Rights Bill for Scotland by May 2026. This Bill will incorporate 4 major United Nations human rights treaties. These treaties are: • The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights • The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) • The Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (CERD) • The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) The Bill will also include the right to a healthy environment, as well as extra equality protections for some groups such as older people and LGBTI people. The Bill will place new duties on public bodies to comply with these rights and to report on progress. It will also include new ways for people to access justice if these rights are not respected.
2025: Programme for Government 2025 – 2026
2025: Scotland’s Open Government Action Plan 2021-25	The 2021-25 Open Government Action Plan includes actions on current priorities, such as: greater openness, transparency and empowerment through open data. incorporating innovative participation through user-centred design in Health and Social Care reform.
2025: Scottish Government – Equality Outcomes 2025-2029	Provides an update on our new equality outcomes for the 2025 to 2029 reporting period, including intended actions we will take to meet these outcomes.
2025: Scottish Government – Mainstreaming Report 2023-2025	Provides an update on the progress we are making to mainstream the equality duty as an employer and decision-maker. It also provides reflection on our progress towards achieving our equality outcomes for the 2021 to 2025 reporting period.
2025: Scottish Government – Programme for Government 2025 to 2026	The Scottish Government's Programme for Government (PfG) 2025 to 2026 outlines the key policy priorities for the coming year, focusing on four core areas: eradicating child poverty, growing the economy, tackling the climate emergency, and delivering high-quality, sustainable public services. This document details the specific actions and legislative programmes the government will implement to achieve these goals.
2025: Scottish Government – The Equality and Human Rights Mainstreaming Strategy Consultation	The independent analysis of responses to the consultation on the Equality and Human Rights strategy. The Strategy sets out a framework that will guide the work that the Scottish Government, the wider public sector and partners will do to embed equality and human rights in all that it does.
2026: Scottish Government – National Performance Framework Update	There is a statutory requirement for the NPF to be reviewed within every five years, with the next review due to commence by May 2023 at the latest. Work on NPF reform has commenced. We expect to be ready to launch the next iteration of the NPF around the start of the new parliamentary session and new government. Full implementation would be an ongoing exercise, as the implementation plan is executed, and website/user interface development would continue through 2026.

Dr Addy's – Scottish Anti-Racism Resource Library (ARRL)

Scotland – Strategy, Policy, Legislation (SPL)

Scotland – Most Significant Strategy, Policy, Legislation (SPL)

Scotland – Strategy, Policy, Legislation (SPL)

Dr Addy’s – Scottish Anti-Racism Resource Library

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