Equality duty: mainstreaming report 2023-2025

Introduction

The Scottish Government is dedicated to mainstreaming equality: mainstreaming ensures that equality considerations are embedded into our policies, decision-making processes, and day-to-day operations, rather than being treated as separate or additional obligations. This approach reflects our belief that advancing equality and protecting human rights are fundamental to achieving a fairer, more inclusive Scotland. By prioritising this work, we aim to address systemic inequalities, foster cultural change, while fulfilling our duties under the Equality Act 2010 and other relevant legislation.

Our commitment extends beyond legislative compliance to a moral obligation to lead by example and champion fairness, dignity, and respect in every aspect of our work. By working collaboratively with stakeholders, communities, and individuals across the country, we strive to build a Scotland where diversity is celebrated, and every voice is valued.

This report provides an overview of our progress in mainstreaming equality from 2023 to 2025. During this period, we have taken steps to enhance our approach, drawing on lessons learned from our previous equality outcomes and responding to feedback from partners, communities, and stakeholders. These reflections have enabled us to identify areas of strength and areas requiring further attention. By examining our journey since 2023, we seek to ensure that our efforts remain focused, impactful, and aligned with our long-term objectives.

Through this report, we will highlight the work undertaken across Scottish Government and agencies, showcasing examples that demonstrate how mainstreaming equality is becoming better embedded in all aspects of our organisation. These examples illustrate the tangible impact of our efforts. By sharing these stories, we aim to illustrate our approach while celebrating the collective efforts of teams across the Scottish Government who have contributed to these achievements.

We have selected examples that collectively show impact against all three needs of the Public Sector Equality Duty set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 (“PSED”) as well as demonstrating approaches which have been taken for particular protected characteristics.

This report is both an honest and transparent reflection of our progress. It highlights the strides made since the publication of the last Mainstreaming Report in 2023 while recognising the challenges that remain. Transparency is central to our approach, as it allows us to maintain accountability to the people of Scotland, our stakeholders, and ourselves. By openly addressing our successes and areas for improvement, we can continue to build trust and drive meaningful change.

This report also marks the conclusion of the 2021–25 outcomes. We have now published our new set of equality outcomes, which covers the period from 2025-29.

What is Mainstreaming?

Mainstreaming is the process of integrating equality, inclusion, and human rights considerations into all aspects of an organisation’s work. This approach ensures that these principles are embedded in policies, practices, and decision-making processes, rather than being treated as separate or secondary issues. For the Scottish Government, mainstreaming means consistently applying these values across all public functions, ensuring that they are integral to the services we deliver and the decisions we make.

By mainstreaming equality we aim to create an organisation and a society that recognises and respects diversity, promotes fairness, and fosters inclusion. This is not only a matter of legal compliance but also a reflection of our commitment to delivering better outcomes for everyone in Scotland.

Why Report on Mainstreaming?

The Scottish Government is committed to delivering high-quality public services, improving outcomes for the people of Scotland, and setting an example as a leading organisation in advancing equality. Reporting on mainstreaming demonstrates our dedication to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement in these areas.

Under the Equality Act 2010, the Scottish Government, as a public authority, is bound by the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).

This duty requires us to have due regard to the three needs of the duty, these are:

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

To fulfil this duty, we must consider the needs of individuals across all relevant protected characteristics outlined in the Equality Act 2010. These characteristics are:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership (not a relevant protected characteristic for the second and third requirements of the PSED)
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion or belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation.

This report is also required under the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012 (“the Specific Duties Regulations”), which are designed to improve the performance of listed public authorities, including the Scottish Government, of the PSED. By reporting on mainstreaming, we provide a comprehensive overview of the actions we have taken, the progress we have made, and the challenges we continue to address as an employer and as a decision maker.