Equality outcomes 2025-2029

Introduction

Under the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (“the Specific Duties Regulations”), the Scottish Government is required to publish a set of equality outcomes every four years. These outcomes aim to enable the Scottish Government to better fulfil the Public Sector Equality Duty set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (“PSED”) by addressing inequalities and advancing equality and human rights. This report sets out equality outcomes for 2025–29.

The PSED seeks to shift public authorities from reacting to equality issues to proactively addressing structural inequalities.

The duty requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to:

• Eliminate conduct prohibited by the act
• Advance equality of opportunity
• Foster good relations

The Specific Duties Regulations supplement this by, amongst other things, requiring public bodies to: publish equality outcomes every four years, report on progress towards these outcomes every two years and engage with stakeholders and consider evidence in developing outcomes.

Protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010 are:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership*
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

* Not a relevant protected characteristic for the second and third requirements of the PSED

Setting equality outcomes is a legal obligation and a strategic tool for addressing inequalities. It focuses organisational action on reducing disparities, promoting inclusion, and bringing meaningful change to people’s lives. The process of setting outcomes requires collaboration across the Scottish Government and with stakeholders.

Our new equality outcomes are informed by evidence, expert advice, engagement with persons with protected characteristics and equality stakeholders who represent them. Each outcome describes the desired result, the context and its alignment with the needs of the PSED.

The outcomes focus on specific underpinning enablers to tackling significant inequality. They are a significant contribution to the government’s overall approach to mainstreaming equality and human rights. They seek to complement and mutually reinforce other ongoing mainstreaming action, within the framework of the Mainstreaming Strategy. A part of that Strategy will be an action plan that brings a coherent focus to the government’s mainstreaming activity. The action plan will be reviewed and updated regularly to ensure it remains relevant and responsive to emerging needs.