About this briefing
About this briefing
We believe Scotland has the opportunity, the capability, and the will to tackle deeply entrenched inequalities and become a fairer, more prosperous and inclusive society – if that will is reflected in the next Scottish Parliament.
Our recommendations
Our recommendations
We believe that all parties should commit to the following policy priorities for the 2021-26 session of the Scottish Parliament:
1. Strong equality and human rights laws to protect people
- Incorporating the UN human rights treaties into Scots law
- Equality and human rights must be safeguarded
- Making the Public Sector Equality Duty as effective as possible
- A better understanding of inequality to effect change
- The process for gender recognition must be simplified
- A more civil debate
- A Parliament that represents Scotland
2. Fair work for everyone
- Supporting flexible working as a day one right for all jobs
- Providing adequate childcare
- Increasing diversity in employment
- Work should be safe and secure
- Addressing the inequalities of employment faced by some ethnic minority groups
- Eradicating harassment, including sexual harassment, at work
3. Inclusive justice
- Making Scottish courts and tribunals, and their working practices should be accessible to all
- Building capacity in the criminal justice system
4. Education that changes the world
- The Curriculum for Excellence should do more to promote equality
- Education must be accessible to all
- Closing the attainment gap
- Children in Scottish schools must be protected from unlawful restraint and seclusion
5. Going places
- Public transport must be accessible
- Rail travel in Scotland must work for those with different needs
6. Health and social care
- Reforming the social care system to put the interests of those being cared for at its heart
- Detention under mental health legislation should not discriminate
- We need a better understanding of people in our mental health system
7. A fairer Scotland
- There should be a review of public authorities’ implementation of the Fairer Scotland Duty final guidance (to be published April 2021) during the next Parliament
- The next National Planning Framework should embed equality as a key consideration at the outset of planning strategies and decisions
- Equality should be embedded in Scotland’s Climate Change Plan
Last updated: 05 Nov 2020