UK Supreme Court Judgment (For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers) Working Group minutes: 30 April 2025

Attendees and apologies

• Deputy Director, DG Communities
• Director, DG Communities
• Unit Head, DG Education and Justice
• Deputy Director, DG Education and Justice
• Team Leader, Social Security Scotland
• Unit Head, DG Education and Justice
• Policy Officer, DG Communities
• Policy Manager, DG Communities
• Unit Head, DG Communities
• Policy Officer, DG Communities
• Deputy Director, DG Strategy and External Affairs
• Policy Manager, DG Communities
• Chief of Staff, DG Corporate
• Director General, DG Communities
• Director, DG Corporate
• Deputy Director, DG Communities
• Deputy Director, DG Education and Justice
• Media Manager, DG Corporate
• Director, DG Economy
• Director, DG Corporate
• Deputy Director, DG Net Zero

Items and actions

Welcome and Introductions

Director General (DG) Communities welcomed attendees and noted the importance the First Minister has placed on the SLWG and its work.

DG Communities informed the group that the Permanent Secretary, convenor of this group, had requested her to act as chairperson for the group.

DG Communities reinforced that the Short Life Working Group (SLWG) will require proactive engagement from all portfolios to facilitate and enable co-ordination of information  across many policy areas. The group’s purpose and terms of reference will be discussed under the relevant agenda item.

Current position in relation to EHRC 

Director, DG Communities, provided an update on the meeting that Scottish Government (SG) officials had with EHRC representatives on 30th April.

SG officials and EHRC discussed their forthcoming consultation.

Scottish Government officials made clear to the EHRC that Scottish Ministers accept the  Supreme Court Judgment and outlined the work underway to prepare for the publication of EHRC’s updated Code of Practice and associated guidance. The EHRC noted SG’s approach.

Purpose of group 

Attendees were given a summary of the SLWG Terms of Reference

Ask that each area examine all legislation , policies and SG guidance that the judgment impacts on.

Each DG should update the tracker document with material they consider to be in scope of the judgment.  This will be updated and refined as material is identified.

Facilitated Conversation 

Point raised on proactively publishing the minutes of SLWG meetings as soon as possible given level of public interest in the subject. DG Communities agreed this should be done.

Discussion took place in relation to health, education, public appointments, support for SG staff and SG facilities.

Final remarks

DG Communities reiterated the need for lead members to be nominated and to identify relevant legislation, policies and guidance that fall within the scope of the work of this group. Each area was also asked to  consider what capacity needs to be dedicated to this work.

Actions

Consider the proactive publication of minutes and set up mechanism for this.

Issue tracker for completion.

Agree communication plan around the work of the group, both internally and externally.