UK Supreme Court Judgment (For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers) Working Group minutes: 17 June 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Deputy Director, DG Corporate
• Unit Head, DG Education and Justice
• Policy Officer, DG Communities
• Unit Head, DG Education and Justice
• Policy Officer, DG Communities
• Deputy Director, DG Communities
• Chief of Staff, DG Corporate
• Director General, DG Communities
• Deputy Director, DG Communities
• Unit Head, DG Education and Justice
• Director, DG Economy
• Deputy Director, DG Strategy and External Affairs
• Team Leader, Social Security Scotland
• Policy Manager, DG Communities
• Deputy Director, DG Corporate
• Deputy Director, DG Corporate
• Head of Major Events Planning, DG Corporate
• Deputy Director, DG Education and Justice
• Policy Manager, DG Communities
• Head of Corporate and Comms., Social Security Scotland
• Deputy Director, DG Education and Justice
• Deputy Director, DG Communities
• Deputy Director, Social Security Scotland
• Director, DG Health and Social Care

Items and actions

Welcome and minutes

DG Communities welcomed members to the fourth meeting of the Short Life Working Group (SLWG) and reiterated the importance of the group’s work.

Members agreed to proactively publish SLWG meeting minutes.

Minutes will be shared with the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, and the Permanent Secretary.

Communications colleagues to be kept informed of publication timings.

Assurances from portfolio leads

Cabinet Secretaries for Health and Social Justice met with the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to discuss the consultation and Code of Practice (CoP).

Ongoing engagement with stakeholders and counterparts in the UK and Welsh Governments.

Members were reminded of the need for clear visibility of public body (PB) activity across portfolios.

EHRC is hosting invite-only roundtables with civic society groups and providing briefings to MSPs in relation to its consultation on its updated Code of Practice.

Members were asked to confirm they are assured that PBs in their areas are aware of the SG position and are engaging appropriately.

Portfolio updates

Updates were provided by the following areas:

• Health
• Education
• Justice
• Safer Communities
• Economy
• Local Government
• Corporate / HR

Update on Cabinet Secretary Meeting with EHRC and timeline

An update was provided on the meeting that took place between the EHRC and the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice and Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care on 10 June.

At this meeting the Cabinet Secretaries provided the EHRC with an update on the activity being undertaken by SG through the SLWG. The EHRC provided an update on their consultation and the process  for submitting the revised Code to UK Government for approval.

SG Response to EHRC consultation

EHRC consultation is open until 30 June; the EHRC’s roundtables and MSP briefings are ongoing.

Members encouraged to engage with stakeholders to inform SG’s response.

Discussion took place on the type of response from SG to be led by the Equality Division.

Evolution of working group

Discussion on the group activity. Key points included:

Members to consider the group’s Terms of Reference and longevity at the next meeting.

Emphasis on coordination, consistency, and assurance to Ministers about the work being undertaken.

Members asked to check in on responses from the statistical and social research communities.

Any other business and closing

Importance of regular review points and clear communication was highlighted.

Continued high media interest noted; comms team maintaining agreed lines.

Action points

All members to ensure their public bodies are aware of the SG publication on the UK Supreme Court ruling.

All members to review the updated Terms of Reference and confirm they are content.

SLWG Secretariat to consider reporting mechanisms to ensure the Permanent Secretary is adequately briefed.

SLWG to circulate a note detailing the asks relating to developing the SG response to the EHRC consultation. Feedback expected by 30 June 2025.

All members to update the tracker on an ongoing basis.

Draft high-level consultation response to be prepared and shared with Cabinet Secretary.

SCANCE to be scheduled to finalise SG’s consultation response.