This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Pledge to put equality of opportunity at heart of policy making
28/09/1999
The Scottish Executive's programme for government commitment to promoting equality of opportunity was reaffirmed today during a ministerial visit to a pilot New Deal project for disabled people in Edinburgh.
Speaking ahead of her first appearance before the Scottish Parliament's Equal Opportunities Committee, Deputy Minister for Communities Jackie Baillie said:
"Scottish Ministers are committed to promoting equality of opportunity across the work of the Scottish Executive and more widely.
"The new Equality Unit within the Scottish Executive is a significant step forward. The Unit, to be headed up by Yvonne Strachan, will support work across the Scottish Executive and more widely, directed at ensuring concern for equal opportunities is built in from the start into policy making.
"I look forward to building working links with the Parliament's Equal Opportunities Committee, the statutory equality agencies, local authorities and others as we take forward this vital work.
"I am particularly pleased to be able to make this announcement at Microbeacon, an organisation that provides disadvantaged groups with the skills required to play a full part in society.
BACKGROUND
1. In " Making it work together: a programme for government" on 6 September 1999 the Scottish Executive pledged to promote equality of opportunity. As part of that commitment a new Equality Unit, based in Edinburgh, is being set up to support Ministers in taking forward work on all equality issues. The Unit will be a single point of advice and liaison within the Executive on equality issues. It will work with Departments on the mainstreaming of equality issues within Scottish Executive, ensuring that account is taken of the potential impact of new and existing policy on particular groups before implementation.
2. The Equality Unit will be headed up by Yvonne Strachan (47). Ms Strachan was appointed Scottish Women's Officer and Industrial Organiser for the Transport and General Workers Union. She is a past Chair of the Scottish Convention of Women. She has been involved for many years in various bodies within the field and was awarded the OBE in 1997 for services to industrial relations and equal opportunities work. The appointment of Head of the Unit was advertised in the Press and interviews were held in June. The post is within the Senior Civil Service and is paid within Senior Civil Service Pay Band 2 which has a minimum of £45,810 and a maximum of £73,470.
3. Microbeacon, a pioneering high-tech scheme in Edinburgh, is one of 24 projects nation-wide to be funded as an innovative pilot under the New Deal for Disabled People. The Edinburgh University Settlement Cyber Centre is operating a simulated call centre to train some 60 disabled people for work in local companies including British Telecom, Scottish Gas, Bank of Scotland, HSBC, Scottish Widows and Standard Life which are partners in the scheme. In addition to basic telephone and keyboard skills, it can provide disabled people with training in word processing, database, spreadsheets and desk-top publishing, and the chance to pursue SVQs once in employment. Participants will also receive counselling and guidance, work taster and work placement opportunities.
News Release: SE0731/99
28 September, 1999