Gypsy/Travellers Action Plan: Ministerial Oversight Group minutes - March 2026

Attendees and apologies

• Kaukab Stewart, Minister for Equalities
• Councillor Maureen Chalmers, Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA’s) Spokesperson for Community Wellbeing
• Jenni Minto, Minister for Public Health and Women's Health
• Natalie Don-Innes, Minister for Children, Young People and The Promise
• Helen Wood, Principal Planner - Planning, Architecture and Regeneration Division, representing the Minister for Public Finance
• Matt Elsby, Deputy Director - Better Homes, to present progress made on Accommodation actions
• Gordon Struth, Anti-Racism in Employment Team Leader, to present progress made on Employment and Employability actions

Apologies      

• Ivan McKee, Minister for Public Finance

Items and actions

Welcome

• Ms Stewart welcomed all attendees, noted apologies, and outlined that the purpose of the meeting was to provide a brief final update on actions and to set out plans for the period ahead
• Ms Stewart noted that this was the Group’s final meeting before the election, with a focus on identifying the progress made within each area. Ms Stewart acknowledged that a fuller final report capturing achievements, challenges, and lessons learned will be produced later in the year
• Ms Stewart emphasised her particular interest in hearing from Ministers and officials on any actions that remain delayed or incomplete, in order to understand the approach and timelines for bringing these to completion

Final updates on actions

• Ms Stewart noted that Ms Minto would only be able to attend for the first part of the meeting and therefore invited her to provide her update at the beginning of the meeting

Scottish Government health actions - Ms Minto

• Ms Minto updated on the Community Health Worker (CHW) programme for Objective 13. She explained that Public Health Scotland (PHS) has held focus groups with all CHWs and engaged with Boards without CHWs to understand progress. She noted that PHS submitted a report in March 2026 highlighting key learning: co‑produced services see higher uptake; structured cross‑sector partnership working drives more consistent change; and flexible, person‑centred approaches (such as women’s groups and one‑to‑one support) help overcome literacy and digital barriers
• Ms Minto highlighted that PHS has identified five priority areas for improvement: vaccination and immunisation, screening, long‑term conditions, mental health (including suicide prevention for men), and access to primary care and community services. These will guide mainstreaming work going forward
• Ms Minto noted that the Scottish Government has met all 22 Health Boards to review anti‑racism progress and has established a national group to embed learning from the CHW project. This group is now exploring options to mainstream CHW roles, with funding models evaluated in winter 2025 and feasibility discussions planned with Boards in spring/summer 2026
• Ms Minto also highlighted progress on Objective 14, confirming that PHS has completed its evidence review on Gypsy/Traveller health needs. This will support mainstreaming discussions with Boards
• on Objective 18, Ms Minto reported continued delivery of real‑time suicide data recording (with Gypsy/Traveller ethnicity included) and ongoing work on help‑seeking, help‑giving and related risks, such as gambling. She acknowledged data limitations due to lower service contact
• in closing, Ms Minto confirmed that only one health action remains outstanding, due to be complete by end April 2026. She welcomed strong progress through the CHW programme, including improved uptake of vaccinations and screening, new peer support groups, and tailored mental health resources. Ms Minto stressed the importance of securing long‑term sustainability and noted that Minority Ethnic Carers Of People Project (MECOPP) funding for 2026/27 has been confirmed
• on maintaining momentum, Ms Minto reiterated that she was reassured by COSLA’s continued partnership in the work. She also noted that PHS is reviewing its activity, which helps sustain progress, alongside the ongoing funding provided to MECOPP
• Ms Stewart thanked Ms Minto for her update and commitments to this. Ms Minto thanked Ms Stewart and Cllr Chalmers for their leadership and left the meeting as planned

Scottish Government education actions - Ms Don-Innes

• Ms Don‑Innes highlighted that all Education-related actions had been delivered, with strong progress made in improving support for Gypsy/Traveller children, young people and families. She noted that strengthened evidence, improved tools for staff, better relationships between schools and communities, enhanced guidance, and more consistent support nationally have all contributed to more inclusive practice shaped directly by Gypsy/Traveller voices
• Ms Don‑Innes said that next steps involve fully integrating this work into the Anti‑Racism in Education Programme, with policy officials continuing to work closely with the Scottish Traveller Education Programme (STEP). The Scottish Government intends to continue funding STEP so they can carry on delivering this vital work with communities and education partners

COSLA actions - Councillor Chalmers

• Cllr Chalmers recognised that the delivery of the Action Plan had been a genuinely collaborative effort, both politically and operationally. She noted that the Action Plan had already delivered significant improvements for Gypsy/Traveller communities, while emphasising that there was more to do and that COSLA viewed this as a long-term commitment
• Cllr Chalmers reported that work on negotiated stopping was reaching completion. She explained that COSLA, in partnership with councils, had produced a draft resource document based on recommendations from the independent evaluation. The document would go to the Lead Officer Group for final comment before being noted by the Community Wellbeing Board in April 2026, after which it would be published online and updated as new guidance became available
• Cllr Chalmers noted that COSLA’s Local Leader Network and Lead Officers Group continued to play an important role in supporting delivery of the Action Plan and promoting shared learning across local authorities. Cllr Chalmers highlighted the value of the community conversations, which had provided opportunities to meet directly with Gypsy/Traveller community members and discuss both progress and concerns
• Cllr Chalmers informed the meeting that, in February 2026, the Community Wellbeing Board had reaffirmed COSLA’s long-term commitment to improving outcomes for Gypsy/Travellers and had agreed that COSLA would work with the Scottish Government and stakeholders through the wider anti-racism agenda to uphold this commitment. She noted that the Board recognised the strength of working collectively; the strong governance structures and engagement models developed through the Gypsy/Traveller programme could be beneficially reflected in the anti-racism work. Cllr Chalmers added that she understood governance arrangements had been discussed at recent roundtables and that she looked forward to further updates
• officials confirmed that two roundtables had taken place with Gypsy/Travellers and anti‑racism stakeholders, with a further session planned during the pre‑election period. They also confirmed that discussions had included consideration of a future governance model, reflecting that the current Gypsy/Traveller governance is viewed as highly successful
• officials explained that work was underway to explore how this model could be adapted for the wider anti‑racism programme, while also taking account of existing governance arrangements in other portfolios such as education and health. They added that this work will help informing advice provided to the incoming government

Scottish Government planning actions - Helen Wood, Principal Planner

• Helen Wood said that South Lanarkshire Council had drafted a planning guide, developed with input from Article 12 in Scotland, and that her team had provided comments in January 2026. She noted that South Lanarkshire Council had expressed a preference for the Scottish Government to publish the guide, and officials are exploring options to host it through the Hub or the Improvement Service website. Discussions with the Improvement Service / Hub continue to determine how best to share the good practice. Helen Wood confirmed that an event for all planning authorities will be organised soon, potentially in May or June
• Helen Wood added that the draft guide for planners has been shared with North Lanarkshire Council, who will be developing a complementary guide for Gypsy/Traveller communities to support them in accessing and engaging with the planning system. She explained that North Lanarkshire Council’s work is still at an early stage, as preparations for their Local Development Plan evidence report (due in April 2026) remain their main priority
• Helen Wood emphasised that planning authorities are operating under significant staffing and resource pressures, with a national shortage of planners and a strong focus on preparing new statutory local development plans. Given this context, some delay is not unexpected. North Lanarkshire Council has recently indicated that they intend to dedicate resources to this work as soon as capacity allows. Helen Wood confirmed that officials will continue to liaise closely with North Lanarkshire Council and will look to share the completed guide with other planning authorities as an example of good practice once available

Scottish Government accommodation actions - Matt Elsby, Deputy Director

• Matt Elsby highlighted that good progress continues across the remaining Gypsy/Traveller Accommodation Fund demonstration projects, with residents now moved into their new homes in Perth
• in Highland, some residents have moved in, with the remaining residents due to return in April.  The Clackmannanshire site is due to complete in May 2026
• Matt Elsby noted that the independent evaluation has been extended to June 2026 due to project delays, and stakeholders have been informed
• Matt Elsby said that, from financial year 2026/27, funding for Gypsy/Traveller accommodation will be accessed through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP). Guidance has already issued to enable local authorities and registered social landlords to develop projects, several of which are now included in Strategic Housing Investment Plans (SHIPs)
• Matt Elsby highlighted joint work with COSLA to review site standards and align them with wider housing standards. A technical review group has met to begin this review which will include incorporating Awaab’s Law for Gypsy/Traveller sites. Further engagement with Gypsy/Traveller community members will take place to inform this work
• on the Social Housing Net Zero Standard, he noted delays to the finalisation of this standard. This will now take place in the next session of Parliament, with final decisions to be made by the next government.  Updated interim guidance for social landlords, including on Gypsy/Traveller sites, will be published shortly
• finally, Matt Elsby confirmed that funding for the previously delayed research to develop an Accommodation Needs Toolkit has been identified for 2026/27 with the procurement process expected to begin following the coming election

Scottish Government employment and employability actions - Gordon Struth, Anti-Racism in Employment Team Leader

• Gordon Struth reported that progress has been slower than expected. This was due to staffing constraints, the late addition of the United Workplaces Fund, and informed decisions to expand three actions beyond their original scope. He explained that work on anti-racism in senior leadership has evolved from the original action in the Anti-Racist Employment Strategy (a peer network) to the development of a capability‑building programme for Chief Executives in the public sector which would be delivered beforehand. This change was informed by engagement with more than 50 stakeholders. Procurement is planned for later this year, and the programme will explicitly include Gypsy/Traveller issues
• Gordon Struth also reported that the Minority Ethnic Recruitment Toolkit has been externally evaluated and is now being revised, with further engagement (including with MECOPP and Article 12 in Scotland) built in. The revised toolkit is expected after summer parliamentary recess
• Gordon Struth added that the team has paused work on a training framework for now, having concluded on the back of further evidence and engagement that existing support, especially from the Coalition for Racial Equality and Rights (CRER), already meets much of the need. This will be revisited once the senior leadership programme is established to ensure any future framework fully reflects the leadership-focused elements required and adds value to existing provision
• Gordon Struth highlighted this was another action where there was need to expand beyond the original scope, noting that the challenge was not a lack of guidance but employers’ concerns about legal and reputational risks. A workshop with employers and equality stakeholders will be held later this year to identify what further support the Scottish Government could provide
• Gordon Struth confirmed that the Fair Work Resource Hub has now been launched and will be expanded over time to include material relevant to specific racialised minorities, including Gypsy/Traveller‑focused resources
• finally, Gordon Struth said that the employability programme, No One Left Behind (NOLB), continues to be delivered by Local Employability Partnerships, with Local Authorities improving integration across services and strengthening staff understanding of Gypsy/Traveller needs. He noted that updates to the data reporting template, to include the referral sources of NOLB participants, such as Gypsy/Travellers, are still being finalised so data is not yet available
• Ms Stewart recognised progress made thus far and the reasons behind the delays. She asked for discussions to continue with the incoming government on how best to advance these actions and ensure their positive impact. Cllr Chalmers confirmed she would be happy to support this, as employability falls within her remit

Scottish Government equality actions - Ms Stewart

• Ms Stewart thanked everyone for their contributions, noted how much had been achieved, and welcomed hearing that work will continue
• Ms Stewart highlighted how valuable it had been to meet community members over recent years and to listen to their experiences, emphasising her deep appreciation for the trust placed in ministers and officials by those sharing often difficult personal stories. Ms Stewart noted that hearing directly from those with lived experience had been crucial in shaping the work, and reaffirmed her commitment to continuing progress on the issues raised
• Ms Stewart also expressed pride in the collaborative approach taken across government and with external partners to ensure the needs of Gypsy/Traveller communities were embedded in policy development, and paid particular thanks to COSLA for their strong partnership
• Ms Stewart confirmed that the Scottish Government would publish a final report later this year assessing progress and achievements
• Ms Stewart advised that the new Anti-Racism Delivery Plan 2026–2030 would be published on 20 March 2026 ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, with work with Gypsy/Traveller communities confirmed as one of its five strategic priorities. Ms Stewart welcomed the fact that efforts to improve outcomes for Gypsy/Travellers would continue beyond the current action plan

Brief final update on work related to the “Tinker Experiment(s)”

• Ms Stewart noted the recent publication on 28 January 2026 of the Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC)’s report, “‘No man’s land’: A human rights assessment of the ‘Tinker Experiment’ and redress for its victims”. Ms Stewart highlighted that officials had also attended a listening session with affected community members in Pitlochry on 23 February 2026
• Ms Stewart informed members that she had issued a formal response to Professor Angela O’Hagan, Chair of the Commission. The response welcomed the report and recognising its contribution to work already undertaken by the Scottish Government, including independent archival research and community consultations, and the First Minister’s apology in June 2025
• Ms Stewart noted many of the actions identified are already being progressed. She recognised that further work remains and it will fall to the next administration to determine responses to some recommendations
• Ms Stewart stressed the importance of ensuring that as many voices as possible are heard throughout this process and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to accountability. Ms Stewart offered to share her response letter with members if helpful
• officials also highlighted the Scottish Government’s intention to continue engaging with SHRC and COSLA to explore possible action by local authorities and other duty bearers

Any other business

• Ms Stewart thanked members for their work over the past two years, and expressed her appreciation to her co‑chair, Councillor Chalmers, along with all Ministers and officials who have contributed to the delivery of this important programme