The Scottish Government

Tackling Racism

The Scottish Government remains committed to promoting race equality and tackling racism and discrimination in Scotland. This page provides information on the statutory duty on the Scottish Government (and other public bodies) to promote race equality and eliminate discrimination and our supporting Race Equality Scheme, and highlights some of our work to combat racism and discrimination.

One Scotland Campaign

The Scottish Government is committed to continuing and developing the One Scotland campaign. The campaign website provides information about the Campaign, some of our work to tackle racism, the teachers' resources available, where to get help and advice, and many other things.

Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000

Like other public bodies, we are here to serve all the people of Scotland, regardless of a person's race, religion, culture, ethnicity, or other background. Sometimes, unwittingly, the way we do things and the decisions we take adversely affect groups of people. The result may be lack of opportunity, difficulty in accessing provision or unresponsive services. We are determined that we do everything we can to eradicate racism and discrimination. This voluntary commitment to race equality is also a statutory commitment. The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 places a general statutory duty to promote race equality on the government and other public authorities. This means that we must have 'due regard', when carrying out our functions, to the need to:

• eliminate unlawful racial discrimination
• promote equality of opportunity
• promote good relations between people of different racial groups

Executive's Race Equality Scheme

Our new Race Equality Scheme was published in November 2005 and sets out our arrangements for meeting the statutory duty to promote race equality. Hard copies are available from the Scottish Executive Equality Unit-0131 244 5519.

Our new scheme also comprises a web based section i.e. Race Equality Assessment/Action Database The database records a range of information on Executive policies and functions, including whether they are relevant to race equality, if they have been screened for their impact or potential impact on the promotion of race equality, the outcome of race equality impact assessments, action to be taken to remedy any adverse impact identified, and other work being undertaken on race equality in that area.

Employment Monitoring

Another key part of meeting the statutory duty to promote race equality involves us monitoring, by racial group, the numbers of-

• Staff in Post
• Applicants to the Scottish Executive
• Applicants for training
• Recipients of training
• Applicants for promotion
• Those affected by performance assessment reviews
• Those involved in grievance procedures
• Those who are the subject of disciplinary action
• Those leaving the Scottish Executive

The following documents provide the latest figures.

Employment Data Table for Historic Scotland

Employment Data Table for Executive, Agencies and Others

Recruitment

Performance

Headcount

Leavers

Bullying and Harassment, and Disciplinary Action

Further information about what we are doing to ensure we are meeting the statutory duty to promote race equality as an employer is set out in the Race Equality Scheme and database.

Race Equality Review

On 10 November 2005, the Minister for Communities published an outline paper on the way forward following the Executive's wide ranging review of race equality-see Race Equality Review Outline Paper

The primary purpose of the review was to determine the best approach required to deliver tangible improvements in the lives of Scotland's diverse communities whilst ensuring Executive resources were maximised and directed to best effect. For further information about the review see-

Further Information About the Review

During the review of race equality work the following policy areas were identified as requiring more dedicated work and action. The Scottish Executive has set up four strategic groups to look at these areas;

• Gypsies/Travellers
• Asylum Seekers and Refugees
• Race equality in rural areas
• Participation in the labour market, including issues around in-migration and migrant labour

Ethnic Minorities and the Labour Market Strategic group in Scotland

Meeting 1

Meeting 2

Meeting 3

Meeting 4

Meeting 5

Meeting 6

The EMLM strategic group is a short life project group with membership from central and local government, voluntary sector, Commission for Racial Equality and employers' organisations. The overarching objective for this work is to increase the number of people from ethnic minorities in the labour market and to address barriers to participation. This links to the following three specific objectives;

• Elimination of the ethnic penalty
• Reduction of the employment gap
• Reduction in occupational segregation

The major output of this group will be the production of an agreed action plan by the end of July 2006. The action points will set out the steps required to achieve the objectives and reflect the regional differences in Scotland. The production of the action plan will not in itself be a measure of the success of the group. The success of the group will be measured on the implementation of the action plan.

To address the objectives, at the first meeting the group agreed on the following workstreams.

• Government practice and leadership
• Entrepreneurship, finance and business support
• Education, training and skills support development
• Equality in the workplace
• Labour market segregation

As part of the Ethnic Minorities and the Labour Market Strategic (EMLM) group process, we ran a series of meetings with stakeholders. To view the minutes from these meetings please see links below:

EMLM stakeholder meeting with SE Enterprise and Industry - 20 July

EMLM stakeholder meeting with CoSLA - 19 July

EMLM Stakeholder meeting with SE Lifelong Learning - 20 July

EMLM Stakeholder meeting with Communities Scotland - 19 July

EMLM Stakeholder meeting with Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) - 18 July

EMLM Stakeholder meeting with SE Fresh Talent Policy Team - 20 July

EMLM Stakeholder meeting with Glasgow Anti Racist Alliance (GARA) - 20 July

EMLM Stakeholder meeting with NHS Greater Glasgow - 18 July

EMLM Stakeholder meeting with Private Sector Employers group - 19 July

EMLM Stakeholder meeting with Scottish Enterprise, Buisness Scotland and Careers Scotland - 20 July

EMLM Stakeholder meeting with Sector Skills - 20th July

EMLM Stakeholder meeting with SE Education Department - 10 July

Race Equality In Rural Areas Strategic Group

This short life Strategic Group, which is Chaired by the Head of the Scottish Executive's Equality Unit, was established to develop an action plan to help build inclusive rural communities in Scotland. Like the other Strategic Groups, their action plan will inform the Executive's National Strategy and Action Plan to be published later this year. The links below provide access to the Group's workplan, discussion papers, minutes of meetings, and a summary of issues grid . Hard copies of any of these documents are available from the Scottish Executive's Equality Unit-contact rhona.carr@scotland.gsi.gov.uk (0131 244 5503).

Minutes of Meeting on 18 January 2006

Minutes of Meeting on 24th February 2006

Minutes of meeting on 5 April 2006

Minutes of meeting on 12 May 2006

Minutes of meeting on 14 June 2006

Minutes of meeting on 9 August 2006

Minutes of meeting on 29 August 2006

Employment paper

Infrastructure paper

Integration paper

Gypsies/ Travellers paper

Racist Incidents Monitoring paper

Discrimination paper

Role of the Public Sector paper

Broader Equalities Agenda paper

Community Capacity Building paper

Data Issues paper

Summary of Issues Grid

Race Equality, Integration and Community Support Fund

On 16 June 2006 the Minister for Communities Malcolm Chisholm announced which projects are to receive funding. Read the news release for full details.