Spend on diversity and inclusion initiatives and training: FOI release

Information requested

1. The total amount of money spent in the last financial year 2023/24 on diversity and inclusion initiatives within the government, including metrics used to measure their effectiveness.

2. The total amount of money spent in the last financial year 2023/24 on recruitment drives aimed at improving diversity and inclusion, including advertising and external consultancy fees.

Response

1. In answer to your request about spend on “diversity and inclusion initiatives” we have included payment of membership fees to organisations and Diversity and Inclusion training.

Total spend in financial year 2023/2024 - £12,800

Subscription - £7,800

Stonewall Scotland: £6,180 (This payment, made in FY 2023/2024, covers the Annual Membership cost of £3,090 for financial years 2023/2024 and 2024/2025).

Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion: £1,800 (Payment for Annual membership for 2023/2024).

Diversity and Inclusion Training - £5,000

The Diversity and Inclusion training spending for 2023/2024 is publicly available Spend on diversity and inclusion training: FOI release - gov.scot

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible under section 17(1) we do not hold specific measures of the effectiveness of these initiatives. However, we do monitor overall diversity and inclusion by analysing the proportion of staff and aspects of staff experience as detailed in the annual publication Diversity and inclusion of the Scottish Government workforce - 20232. The total amount of money spent in the last financial year 2023/24 on recruitment drives aimed at improving diversity and inclusion, including advertising and external consultancy fees is £0.

We have not undertaken any recruitment drives which were specifically aimed at improving diversity and inclusion. We advertise vacancies where we have an evidenced need for the position and our application processes are fair and open to all candidates regardless of background and characteristics. Offers are made in merit-order to the highest ranked applicant after assessment stage, we do not make decisions on the basis of diversity information collected during the application process.

Diversity and inclusion are important to us as an organisation, and we actively promote this message on our communication channels and job adverts, however there are no specific costs associated with this. We do not advertise on diversity job boards, and we have not engaged the services of external consultants to advise on diversity and inclusion relating to recruitment.

About FOI

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