Equality and human rights mainstreaming action plan
Brings together 61 equality and human rights mainstreaming actions from across the Scottish Government in one accessible plan, supporting equality, diversity and inclusion in policy and practice.
Actions: Enhancing capability and culture
Action 37:
By April 2026 we will have strengthened the public sector’s and the third sector’s knowledge and awareness of the rights proposed for incorporation through a future Human Rights Bill. This will initially focus on local authorities, healthcare professionals and organisations funded through the Equality and Human Rights Fund. We will also undertake a review of the human rights training materials available for Scottish Government officials. Our Capability Building Working Group will consider the impact of activities and help to inform longer-term action.
Source: Programme for Government 2025-26;
Action 38:
In early 2026, we will publish an inclusive communications toolkit to provide practical support to all public bodies in Scotland. This will help public bodies to mainstream inclusive communication both internally and with service users; and in carrying out duties under the PSED.
Source: Ministerial Commitment
Action 39:
By 30 April 2027, we will develop and deliver enhanced training, support and guidance on equality and other relevant impact assessments.
Source: Equality Outcome 3 - Equality & Other Relevant Impact Assessments
Action 40:
We will create better opportunities for listed authorities and equality stakeholders to share learning and to help improve public sector practice. We expect this work to include the sharing of good practice and setting up a range of events. We will scope this project with our Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) Improvement Stakeholder Reference Group in early 2026. Further information on the action we will take forward in this space is set out in the Regulation 12 Report published alongside this document.
Source: PSED Regulation 12 Report
Action 41:
There will be an official launch in early 2026 of the Anti-Racism Observatory for Scotland which will work with Government, public bodies and communities to deliver on our vision to tackle systemic racism in Scotland.
Source: Programme for Government 2025-26
Action 42:
We will develop, resource, and implement a plan to strengthen disability competence within the Scottish Government, in collaboration with our Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) partners.
The Disability Competence Training Programme is currently being developed, and after initial implementation and evaluation, we aim to roll out the programme to all staff by December 2026.
Source: Disability Equality Plan
Action 43:
We will establish and facilitate a disabled people’s annual Cabinet takeover to provide a forum for disabled people and representative organisations to speak directly to Ministers about the issues that affect them.
This is aimed at improving disability competence and leadership, and it will provide additional accountability at Ministerial level.
The first Cabinet Takeover will be held in January 2026 and will be followed by a similar session with the Scottish Government’s Executive Team.
Source: Disability Equality Plan
Action 44:
By summer 2026, we will carry out internal engagement to improve religious literacy across Scottish Government, providing officials and Ministers with a more nuanced and detailed understanding of the diverse faith and belief communities in Scotland.
Source: Faith and Belief Engagement Strategy
Action 45:
By summer 2026, we will improve the EQIA process in assessing impacts for faith and belief communities in Scotland.
This will be achieved by working with policy teams to strengthen how faith and belief considerations are identified and reflected in EQIAs. We will do this by building internal understanding through engagement with faith and belief stakeholders, sharing examples of effective practice, and encouraging more consistent and meaningful consideration of these communities in impact assessments.
Source: Faith and Belief Engagement Strategy
Action 46:
By March 2026, we will review and update existing procurement guidance on Employment, Skills and Training to reflect policy developments, and to promote equality and to reduce inequality by encouraging inclusion of targeted recruitment and training opportunities for priority groups in relevant contracts. This will include wide internal and external stakeholder engagement to inform updated content.
Source: Public Procurement Strategy for Scotland
Action 47:
By August 2026, we will embed the learning from the Digital Inclusion Programme across health and social care to support approaches to digital inclusion and improve access to digital services.
Source: Digital Health and Care Strategy Delivery Plan
Action 48:
By 30 April 2027, we will involve people with lived experience of inequality and exclusion in delivering specific policies to tackle inequality.
Source: Equality Outcome 2 - Lived Experience & Participation
Action 49:
By 30 April 2027, we will make it easier for communities experiencing exclusion to contribute their views and experiences to shape policies and services that affect them. For example, guidance, support and signposting to organisations leading on New Scots actions to fully ensure refugee engagement and involvement.
A new procurement process and participation community representatives will support delivery of this. Aspects of these are planned to be in place in early 2026.
Source: Equality Outcome 2 - Lived Experience & Participation
Action 50:
By April 2026, we will co-produce a Network Engagement Framework to amplify diverse voices to ensure that lived experience guides our employer policies, processes and governance.
Source: Equality Outcome 2 - Lived Experience & Participation
Action 51:
By 30 April 2027, we will promote and embed the DG Corporate EQIA Improvement Programme to support capability building and share good practice.
Source: Equality Outcome 3 - Equality & Other Relevant Impact Assessments