Scottish School Milk Subsidy Scheme - Equality Impact Assessment Results

The Scope of the EQIA

The new Scottish School Milk Subsidy Scheme will mostly impact pupils in public primary and special schools, their parents, particularly in low income families and to some extent on local authority catering teams and suppliers of milk. To develop the new scheme we engaged with local authority stakeholders, industry stakeholders including National Farmers Union Scotland and sought input from children and young people through a piece of research by the Children’s Parliament. In addition, we commissioned a data collection exercise to understand the current provision in schools across Scotland.

In line with the requirements of the general equality duty, we have considered the need to:

• eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the act;
• advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not; and
• foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not.

The following protected characteristics have been considered with the Equality Impact Assessment:

• Disability
• Race
• Religion or belief

There was limited information available in relation to the following protected characteristics, although we consider these protected characteristics will not prevent access to the new scheme due to other eligibility criteria that will be in place.

• Age
• Sex
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Gender reassignment
• Sexual orientation
• Marriage or civil partnership