Scottish Welfare Fund - statutory guidance update: Fairer Scotland Duty assessment - April 2025

Stage 4 – decision

The decision stage allows deputy directors (or above) to consider the assessment process from stages 2 and 3. They can also agree changes to the policy, proposal or decision and confirm that due regard to meeting the Fairer Scotland Duty has been achieved.

What changes, if any, will be made to the proposal as a result of the assessment? Why are these changes being made and what are the expected outcomes?

If no changes are proposed, please explain why.

No changes are proposed.

The changes to the statutory guidance being proposed are in line with the Independent Review recommendations derived from a comprehensive review of the functioning of the SWF and from the views of those working in the fund and accessing the scheme. A standing multi-stakeholder Statutory Guidance Review Committee has worked on the proposals in response between March 2024 – October 2024, including gathering additional analysis and the thoughts of those living in poverty to develop these changes. The statutory guidance will be reviewed now on an annual basis through a standing committee including the duty to actively consider what more can be done to reduce the inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage.