UWS Government Publications Blog

These research findings were published in February 2011.

“New Equality legislation introduced by the UK Government in 2010 provides powers to Scottish Ministers to impose specific public sector equality duties on Scottish public authorities. An Order making power allows Scottish Ministers to amend Schedule 19 of the Act to adjust the list of Scottish public authorities subject to the general equality duty while specific duties are imposed through Regulations.

In order to give stakeholders and members of the public the opportunity to put forward their views on proposals for these Regulations and on additions to Schedule 19 of the Act, the Scottish Government launched a ‘Consultation on Public Sector Equality Duty Draft Regulations and Order’. The consultation ran from 13th September until 26th November 2010. A total of 123 responses were received and key findings from the analysis of these responses are summarised below.

Main Findings

• The majority of respondents agreed with most of the questions in this consultation.
• Respondents agreed with the proposed lists for both the general and specific duties (79% and 76% respectively); there were requests for clarification on the status of arms length organisations or for these organisations to be subject to the duties. There was also some uncertainty over whether some bodies were covered.
• The majority of respondents also agreed for public authority equality outcomes to be published. The importance of accessibility of information was stressed.
• Most (69%) agreed with the proposed mainstreaming duty. There were comments on the need for authorities to integrate equality work within their existing systems and to align equality work and reporting within existing timescales.
• Most (73%) also agreed with the proposed duty on impact assessment. There were calls for the impact on equality of existing, as well as new, policies and practices to be assessed.
• Sixty per cent agreed that Scottish Ministers should determine national equality priorities. Here respondents commented for Scottish Ministers to consult with appropriate stakeholders and also to take local circumstances into account when determining national priorities.
• Sixty-three per cent agreed that public authorities with 150 or more full-time staff should report on their ethnic minority and disability employment rates and their employment rates for men and women. Similarly, 62% agreed that they should publish an equal pay statement.
• The key themes which recurred throughout the consultation included:
• The need for clarity and guidance and requests for case studies and best practice examples.
• The importance of evidence, and concerns over the collection or availability of evidence and data.
• The importance of consulting and involving service users and equality groups.”

The full report is also available online.