Gender Equality Scheme 2008-2011

FINANCE AND SUSTAINABLE GROWTH

PORTFOLIO RESPONSIBILITIES

The Finance and Sustainable Growth portfolio is responsible for managing Scotland's budget effectively and delivering the right mix of policies to ensure increasing, sustainable growth in the Scottish economy.

It contributes substantively to our Purpose - to focus government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth - and is a critical driver of our wealthier and fairer Strategic Objective - to enable businesses and people to increase their wealth and more people to share fairly in that wealth. A fairer Scotland will, in turn, help reduce inequalities in areas such as educational attainment and health, helping Scotland become smarter and healthier. By investing to increase growth in Scotland's high-potential renewable energy sector, the portfolio also contributes to a greener Scotland.

The Finance and Sustainable Growth portfolio has responsibility for:

delivering better value in the Scottish budget to ensure we get the best possible return for frontline public services and taxpayers;
supporting public service reform to deliver better quality, user-focused services and smaller, simpler and more efficient government;
delivering and maintaining the right infrastructure for business success - through investment in transport, investment in Scottish Water and modernising the planning system;
refocusing the enterprise networks towards a shared goal of delivering increasing, sustainable economic growth and promoting Scotland's tourism industry;
contributing to tackling climate change and improving energy efficiency; and
further developing an innovative, sustainable and inclusive third sector.

GENDER EQUALITY ACTION PLAN

Name of Directorate

Enterprise, Energy and Tourism ( EET)

Directorate Responsibilities

EET Directorate is responsible for the following policy areas:

Business Growth and Innovation;
Energy and Telecommunications;
Enterprise and Industry;
Sponsorship of Scottish Enterprise and Highlands and Islands Enterprise;
European Structural Funds;
Innovation and Investment Grants; and
Sponsorship of VisitScotland, tourism policy and Whisky Legislation

Statement of Directorate Commitment to the Promotion of Gender Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes and contributes to progressing the Government's gender equality scheme objectives.

EET seeks to deliver the Scottish Government's Wealthier and Fairer objective to focus Government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth.

EET Directorate is fully committed to the promotion of gender equality. The National Performance Framework commits the Scottish Government to "… have tackled significant inequalities of Scottish society". The EET Directorate will contribute towards this outcome under the Economic Growth and Sustainability indicators by ensuring staff are aware of the need to ensure equalities duties are met when developing policy. Where appropriate EQIA assessments will be undertaken.

What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, women and men affected by the Directorate Responsibilities.

The latest published Annual Small Business Survey ( ASBS) from 2005, when looking at the gender breakdown of the management team of enterprises, identified that:

14% of businesses with employees (20 per cent of all businesses) were either led solely by women, or had women as a majority ( i.e. more than 50%) of directors.
In 26% of businesses with employees (17% of all) there were equal numbers of men and women on the management team.
Women formed a minority on the management team among 6% of business with employees (3% of all businesses).
52% of businesses with employees (57% of all businesses) were solely male led.

The survey also sought information on the gender breakdown of business owners, finding:

24% of businesses were more than half-owned by women, falling to 17% for businesses with employees. This is a lower proportion than the proportion of businesses within which the management team composition is more than half female.

The annual Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Scotland ( GEM) report (published by Strathclyde University) looked at entrepreneurial activity in Scotland and offered an analysis of the distribution of entrepreneurial activity by gender. Along with the total entrepreneurial activity ( TEA) rate for males and females, the report also examined gender differentials in work experience and business/enterprise training and how these affect entrepreneurial activity late on.

The latest GEM Scotland report, from 2006, identified that between 2000 and 2006 male rates were consistently double those of female rates. Some types of entrepreneurship education and training increase early stage entrepreneurial activity rates among females but not ambition, while among males they increase ambition but not activity rates.

Enterprise, Energy and Tourism Directorate: Gender Equality Action Plan

Key actions which are designed to address gender equality issues identified from evidence and actions which contribute to progressing the Government's gender equality policy objectives ( GEPO).
Policy	Action	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome	Contribute to GEPO (Yes/No)
Managing European Structural Funds in Scotland	To ensure all Advisory Groups and PMCs reflect the diversity in Scotland in line with Scottish Government Policy. Ensuring gender balance where possible is met by seeking more than one nominee from bodies and requesting that they took account of the need for gender balance.	European Structural Funds Division	End 2007	Gaining a better gender balance in monitoring bodies and appraisal bodies for European Structural Fund Programmes in Scotland.	Yes
To develop policy and manage delivery of all European Structural Funds across Scotland, supporting Scottish Government's and European Union's aims of boosting economic growth and improving productivity while reducing economic and social disparities	Equal Opportunities has been integrated as a horizontal theme into the 4 Structural Funds programmes for 2007-2013. This will include integrating consideration of all equality strands: disability, gender, race, age, sexual orientation and religion/belief.	European Structural Funds Division	Lifetime of Programmes	Reduce inequalities in the workplace. Increase opportunities for groups who may be disadvantaged in the workplace.	Yes
	Project selection includes equal opportunities as one criteria being scored.		Annually	Evaluation should inform outcomes which can be mainstreamed across Scotland.	Yes
	Equal Opportunities Champion for the Scottish Structural Funds Programmes appointed.		Ongoing	Improve the projects receiving funding's awareness of gender equality issues and how to address them within their projects.	Yes
European Court of Auditors	European Court of Auditors recently undertook a gender related comparison audit on the Objective 3 2000-2006 programme with various other European Union Countries in which Scotland came out extremely favourably.	European Structural Funds Division	Completed	To ensure correct procedures in place to address gender-related issues within the Objective 3 2000-2006 programme.	Yes
Ensuring that policies, services, functions pay due regard to the need to eliminate any unlawful discrimination between women and men, and promote equality of opportunity between them.	Establishment of an Action Group to create a dedicated Gender Equality Policy Review of all employment practices and procedures to ensure fairness of treatment.	VisitScotland	September 2008	Creation of an environment in which individual differences and the contributions of all VS staff are recognised and valued. Employees entitled to a working environment that promotes dignity and respect for all. No form of intimidation, bullying or harassment will be tolerated. Training and development opportunities available to all staff.	Yes
To undertake sponsorship activities, including financial and performance monitoring of Scottish Enterprise ( SE) and Highlands & Islands Enterprise ( HIE) and ensure that the requirements placed on the Enterprise Networks, as they are collectively known, are fulfilled in respect of corporate governance and statutory obligations.	1. Both SE and HIE have committed to embedding diversity in all their work and will conduct equality impact assessments on all major policies and programmes which are published on their websites. Scottish Enterprise is reviewing all its action plans currently as a result of the restructuring to ensure it prioritises actions most likely to improve gender inequality. 2. SE and HIE produce annual Equality reports and will be refreshing their schemes since restructuring. Scottish Enterprise - Equal Opportunities Annual Report 2007 ( www.scottish-enterprise.com/publications/eop_annual_report_2007.pdf) highlights their ongoing work. A new operating model for Business Mentoring is to be put in place in 2008 to enhance delivery of the service and increase its reach. In 06/07 640 people were helped of whom 50% were women. 3. Highlands and Islands Enterprise - Equality Scheme Action Plan, revised in December 2007 and which links to the development of Operating Plans from April 2008 ( www.hie.co.uk/HIE-equality-documents/HIE_equality_scheme_action_plan_december_2007.pdf). 4. Equality Matters in Business is a £1 million SG funded project which finishes in 08/09 which has had as one of its objectives to raise awareness about the benefits that workforce diversity can bring and to challenge perceptions and assumptions. An evaluation will begin in late June. 5. HIE - as a partner in the Highland Community Planning Partnership Highland Wellbeing Alliance - and in recognition of the poor regional representation of some groups, particularly men, is tasked specifically to build capacity for engagement with the gender groups.	Enterprise Networks Division	Ongoing	Enterprise Networks are operating within a framework that enables them to meet their statutory equalities duties as effectively as possible.	Yes
To support business growth, productivity and innovation.	We will promote equality of opportunity by ensuring marketing literature is available in a variety of formats and is distributed to a wide range of organisations, associations and events.	Innovation and Investment Grants Division	Ongoing	Increased awareness and equitable access for all eligible firms to business support and innovation support grant schemes	Yes
Women are under represented in terms of starting up new enterprises	We will continue to work with Scottish Enterprise and HIE to ensure the effective implementation of the current Women's enterprise Strategy and respond to the issues identified, including focussing services on women led businesses with significant growth potential. In regard to direct support for start-ups by women, Local Authorities will have the direct responsibility for the Business Gateway contracts and Business Gateway is being extended to the HIE area.	Business Growth & Innovation Division	Ongoing	Increase in business start-ups from women and growth of women-led businesses. Local Authorities, through Business Gateway contracts, will have lead responsibility in supporting new business start-ups which will contribute to the target to increase the number of self-employed women in Scotland to 28% by 2009.	Yes

GENDER EQUALITY ACTION PLAN

Name of Directorate

Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals

Directorate Responsibilities

The Directorate is responsible for dealing with planning and related appeals in Scotland.

The Directorate is committed to improving the delivery of our services. To achieve this we aim to work with partners within government and the wider community to ensure that the entire decision-making process in respect of appeals and called-in applications are equality proofed in respect of gender.

Our commitment to gender equality is to ensure that the service we deliver is equal in respect of gender and identifies and removes barriers and discrimination that arise from any inequality.

Directorate for Planning and Environmental Appeals Gender Equality Action Plan

Key actions which are designed to address gender equality issues identified from evidence and actions which contribute to progressing the Government's gender equality policy objectives ( GEPO).
Policy	Action	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome	Contribute to GEPO
Engagement with stakeholders to ensure and improve services to all stakeholders	Aim to undertake a customer survey to determine gaps in services including any possible gender discrimination.	Directorate	End 2008	Identification and correction services including gaps in gender discrimination	Yes (1, 2)
Encourage engagement with stakeholders via the deployment of an end to end e-enablement of planning and environmental appeals	Ensure that all stakeholders can access the services provided by the unit.	Directorate	End 2008	Increased awareness of the Appeals process and engagement from the public sector.	Yes (1, 2)

Key actions to take into account gender equality across Directorate main responsibilities, if not already covered above.
Policy	Actions to take forward gender equality	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome
Communication with our stakeholders	Ensure any images displayed within published documentation including the website are positive images of women and men to address gender stereotyping	Web team/ IT Liaison team	Review and update regularly	Positive images of women and men in our publications to address gender stereotyping
Recruitment	Gather statistics on the staff employed in the unit and ratio of men/women	Management Team	Ongoing	Recruitment is fair and open process to both genders
Leadership/management role and training	Ensure staff are fully aware and trained in gender equality and the effective delivery of the gender duty and availability of flexible working hours and alternative working.	Management Team	Ongoing	Staff are aware of policies and consideration to applications for alternative working patterns are fair and open.

GENDER EQUALITY ACTION PLAN

Name of Directorate

Directorate for the Built Environment

Directorate Responsibilities

This new Directorate covers the Government's role in relation to the built environment, primarily Town and Country Planning, Building Standards and Architecture Policy. Its role is to ensure that the legislative and policy framework for the built environment supports sustainable economic growth; is responsive to national and local needs; promotes development which respects and enhances the environment in which it takes place; secures the construction of safe, healthy, efficient and sustainable buildings; and delivers high quality, well designed places for living, working and pursuing leisure activities.

The Scottish Government is committed to creating a built environment which can be used by everyone, regardless of age, gender or disability. The accessibility of both the physical environment and the procedures used to deliver that environment continue to be addressed whenever policy is developed or implemented.

What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, women and men affected by the Directorate Responsibilities.

The primary information source on the experiences of women and men, and issues relating to gender, have come out of recent consultations on changes to the planning system. Defra funded focus groups (organised by the Women's Environmental Network) aimed primarily at looking at environmental decision-making for women. Women in decision-making sets out views of women on barriers to participation. These include a view that there was a lack of information on opportunities to participate and a concern with the use of jargon.

In addition, Scottish Government-funded research, Planning and Community Involvement, showed that women were slightly more likely than men to become involved in the planning process, but significantly more likely to oppose a planning application. Although not looking specifically at planning-related matters, A Gender Audit of Statistics suggested that, as citizens, men and women are equally active, but that their patterns of activity differ in some respects. Evidence from the responses to the Scottish Household Survey would indicate that there was very little gender imbalance with regard to the interest that men and women had in the planning of their area.

Directorate for the Built Environment: Gender Equality Action Plan

Key actions to take into account gender equality across main responsibilities.
Policy	Actions to take forward gender equality	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome
Improving the planning system by strengthening the involvement of communities including taking full and proper account of any equality issues (including gender equality).	Core funding of Planning Aid for Scotland, which provides impartial advice on planning issues as well as a range of training opportunities for communities.	Planning Inclusion and Environmental Regulation	Ongoing to 2011	Enhanced opportunity for both men and women to be involved in decisions affecting their lives. Raise awareness of planning and help build capacity to help ensure sustainable community engagement.

GENDER EQUALITY ACTION PLAN

Name of Directorate

Public Service Reform Directorate

Directorate Responsibilities

Efficient Government Unit

Increased efficiency is an essential component of the drive to deliver better public services.

We are in year 1 of a 3 year efficiency programme to deliver efficiency gains which can be reinvested in improving public services.

Public Service Delivery Division

Single Outcome Agreements ( SOAs)
Best Value
Community Planning
Community Councils
Accounts Commission

The introduction of SOAs with local authorities is essential for the alignment of local outcomes with the National Outcomes and Purpose. Best Value and Community Planning underpin the outcome agreement approach. Community Councils also have a part to play due to their role as facilitators of community engagement.

Each council is expected to agree a SOA with the Scottish Government which sets out their contribution to the Government's 15 National Outcomes by the end of June 2008.

Transformational Technologies: Transforming public services through technology. We are leading a number of projects to modernise public services. - The largest one is eCare which provides for the sharing of personal data between professionals to support, in the first instance, child protection messaging and single shared assessment. We are also developing the One Scotland portal, providing access to information about services for citizens in Scotland

Third Sector

The Government's Economic Strategy clearly identifies the role of the Third Sector as a contributor to a more successful Scotland and that working together with private, academic and third sectors is essential to the achievement of the Government's purpose.

Efficient Government Unit

Improved efficiency is one of the ways by which the public sector can release funds which can be reinvested in providing better public services. While the Efficient Government Unit is responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of the programme and for monitoring progress towards the targets set, individual public sector organisations (including SG directorates) are responsible for identifying and delivering efficiencies.

We remain committed to improving public service delivery for all users and ensuring that no one gender grouping is adversely affected.

Public Service Delivery Division

SOAs - the Scottish Government's stated Purpose is to focus the Government and public services on creating a more successful country, with opportunities for all of Scotland to flourish, through increasing sustainable economic growth. The Concordat agreed between the SG and COSLA sets out the new relationship between SG and local government and accepts that although the SG will set policy direction, it will stand back from micro-managing service delivery. SOAs are a major part of the Concordat and free up local authorities and their partners to meet the varying local needs across Scotland. Local authorities are expected to set out their contribution to each National Outcome - outcome 7 states 'we have tackled the significant inequalities in Scottish society'.

Joint Guidance produced by SG, COSLA, the Improvement Service, SOLACE and Audit Scotland was issued in February 2008. Under the section on scope, councils are advised to set out their duties in relation to equalities.

We are currently carrying out an equality impact assessment ( EQIA) for the overall SOA approach. This may lead to our issuing guidance covering all 6 equalities strands to the Scottish Government Implementation Group ( SGIG) to support the Directors' discussion with local authorities.

Best Value - equalities is one of the 10 characteristics covered by statutory guidance for local authorities and one of the 9 in non-statutory guidance for other public service organisations. We held 3 equalities events in Autumn 2007 to disseminate information and advice to public services bodies.

Community Planning - equalities is covered in the statutory guidance for community planning and specific guidance on equalities was produced by COSLA. Some CPPs have requested and were provided with support on equalities by specialists, funded by Communities Scotland, up until 31 March 2008; this was extended to cover Single Outcome Agreements. A summary report of the issues raised and suggested actions is being considered as part of the EQIA process.

Community Councils - issues arising from the consultation on the Model Community Council Scheme that took place in April will help to inform the approach to equalities within Community Councils. Advice on equalities, in the form of "best practice" guidance will be issued to Community Councils in due course.

Transformational Technologies- As a new development we have carried out an Equality Impact Assessment of the One Scotland portal. We are committed to working to understand the needs of different groups for information and access to services.

What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, women and men affected by the Directorate Responsibilities.

Public Service Delivery Division

As part of the Concordat agreed between the Scottish Government and local government, the SG is standing back from micro-managing service delivery, allowing local authorities to deliver services according to the priorities and needs of local communities. Local authorities are subject to equality legislation and are already committed to delivering services equitably.

Third Sector

Our support to the development of the Third Sector reflects directly the ability of the sector to address exclusion and equality issues.

The Third Sector has a number of key roles which directly contribute to the overall achievement of the government purpose and assist the achievement of gender equality as our partners. These roles include: connecting with individuals and communities (geographic or interest group) who find it difficult to trust or connect with public officials; acting as an advocate or voice; contributing to the design of public services that more effectively meet the needs of individuals; creating employment through social enterprise in geographic areas where the private sector does not wish to operate.

Transformational technologies

There is a small difference between men and women in use of the internet (56% men compared with 50% women, Scottish Household Survey 2007) but the most significant factor is age with only 7% of over 75s using the internet compared with 76% of those aged 16-24. Men are slightly more likely to use the internet to access government sites than women (40% of users compared with 34% of female users). Women are slightly more likely to access information about education (47% against 42% of male users)

Public Service Reform Directorate Gender Equality Action Plan

Key actions which are designed to address gender equality issues identified from evidence and actions which contribute to progressing the Government's gender equality policy objectives ( GEPO).

Policy

Action

By whom

By when

Expected Outcome

Contribute to GEPO (Yes/No)

Public Service Delivery Division

Introduction of single outcome agreements with Councils

Consider issuing guidance to the Scottish Government Implementation Group ( SGIG) for Director-led discussions with local authorities

Public Service Delivery Division

End April 2008

Equalities embedded into Director-led discussions with local authorities to ensure councils understand their duties under equalities legislation and under the Local Government in Scotland Act 2003

Yes (all)

Key actions to take into account gender equality across main responsibilities, if not already covered above.
Policy	Actions to take forward gender equality	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome
*Efficient Government Unit* Delivery of a 3 year efficiency programme to release efficiency gains of 2% (increasing) per annum which can be reinvested in improving public services	Portfolio Managers to remind Project managers that while the Efficient Government programme itself will have no adverse effect on any user group, individual efficiency projects might, so project managers should consider the need to carry out Equality Impact Assessments ( EQIAs) for every efficiency project.	Portfolio Managers (Reminder) Project Managers (Consideration of/Completion of EIAs)	During all routine meetings with individual project managers	Equalities considered in efficiency projects
*Transformational Technologies* One Scotland portal	We will carry out focus group research on the needs of different groups (including gender groups) for on-line information as part of the implementation of the One Scotland portal.	Transformational Technologies Division	March 2009	Understanding specific information needs and adjusting content of the portal to meet those needs.
*Third Sector & Social Economy* Ensuring the third sector has an effective voice and campaigning role	Range of actions in the Third Sector Development Programme including strategic partnerships with key national bodies, development of local third sector networks and work to make the third sector more financially sustainable.	Third Sector Division	March 2011	A more sustainable third sector offering a more effective voice for all the people it represents - influencing broad policy making and delivery design
Scottish Investment Fund	A £30m fund investing in third sector organisations to contribute to the sustainable economic growth of Scotland.	Third Sector Division	March 2011	More financially sustainable third sector organisations with enhanced capacity and capability to contribute to Scotland's economic growth
Action Plan for an Enterprising Third Sector	Development of an action plan promoting enterprise in the third sector - this will include social enterprise start-up providing employment opportunities in communities and locations currently disadvantaged.	Third Sector Division	March 2011	A more enterprising third sector with enhanced capacity and capability to contribute to Scotland's economic growth

FINANCE DIRECTORATE GENDER EQUALITY ACTION PLAN

Name of Directorate

Finance

Directorate Responsibilities

Work corporately across the Scottish Government to secure sustainable outcomes within the budget authorised by the Scottish Parliament;

Lead the Government's financial strategy, reporting, accounting processes, and internal audit service; and

Support the Government's infrastructure investment programme, securing quality and value for money - within a Best Value regime - and, where appropriate, utilising innovative partnering solutions.

A Wealthier and Fairer Scotland is at the heart of everything we want to achieve for this country. We are aiming to achieve this by providing the funding to increase sustainable economic growth. In order to achieve this outcome the Finance Directorate is committed to the promotion of gender equality.

Finance Directorate is committed to ensuring that policies meet the diverse needs of the people of Scotland, by taking into account needs which might arise due to the age, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability and religion/belief of both individuals and groups.

Whilst we have robust processes for ensuring policies incorporate gender equality-related issues and have a culture of which we can be proud we will continue to consider all new policies, including reviews and changes to existing policies, to ensure that we recognise the different needs, situations and goals of individuals and groups and remove the barriers that limit what people can do and can be.

Finance Directorate is committed to ensuring that our staff are aware of their responsibilities for promoting and maintaining effective equality policies and actions and are equipped to undertake their duties accordingly. It is further committed to initial and, where appropriate, ongoing impact assessment of its activities to help ensure equality is delivered in practice.

We will actively engage with our partners and stakeholders to ensure we are aware of any gender issues experienced by our staff or by others affected by policies for which we are responsible.

We will address gender issues identified from evidence and involvement. We will continue to take key actions within the Finance Directorate to ensure that gender equality is being mainstreamed.

What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, women and men affected by the Directorate Responsibilities.

Spend on policies can have a key impact but this is part of the responsibility for areas that design specific policies. Notwithstanding that, we are aware of the role Finance Directorate plays and, as such are represented on the Equality Budget Proofing and Policy Advisory Group ( EPBPAG).

GENDER EQUALITY ACTION PLAN

Name of Directorate

Economic Strategy

Directorate Responsibilities

To deliver the Government's Purpose through the implementation of the Government Economic Strategy across the Scottish Government.

A key element of the Government Economic Strategy is equity, including ensuring that there are opportunities for all to contribute to Scotland's sustainable economic growth. This includes access to public services. Part of the work of this Directorate is to seek to ensure that this approach is delivered across the Scottish Government

What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, women and men affected by the Directorate Responsibilities.

The Strategy highlights that an equality impact assessment will be undertaken for each policy area across six strands, including gender, to ensure that they are appropriate, to mitigate against any potential negative impacts and to ensure our policies are robust and effective.

This will not be undertaken by this Directorate, but with policy areas who are taking forward specific elements of the Strategy.

Economic Strategy Directorate Gender Equality Action Plan

Key actions which are designed to address gender equality issues identified from evidence and actions which contribute to progressing the Government's gender equality policy objectives ( GEPO).
Policy	Action	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome	Contribute to GEPO (Yes/No)
Ensure implementation of the Government's Economic Strategy.	We will be proactive in informing all Directorates with responsibility for delivering the elements of the Government's Economic Strategy of the importance of the public sector equality duties and the need to promote gender equality in delivering the Strategy.	ESD	Ongoing	All in Scotland are able to contribute to and share in Scotland's sustainable economic growth.	Yes (in particular 2, 3, 4, 5)

GENDER EQUALITY ACTION PLAN

Name of Directorate

Scottish Procurement Directorate ( SPD)

Directorate Responsibilities

Work corporately across the wider Scottish public sector to secure improved, sustainable, procurement (of goods, works and services) performance, delivering value for money improvements, improved capability and standards to support delivery of better public services and sustainable economic development.

Lead the Government's strategy for procurement, implementing the recommendations of the 2006 McClelland Report and resulting procurement reform programme.

Lead the policy and legislative framework within which public procurement must be conducted.

Ensure that guidance drives and supports best practice in procurement.

Deliver national and central Government family collaborative contracts and ensure that the central Government family's procurement activity delivers value for money and conforms to best practice.

Ensure that public procurement in Scotland meets the highest possible standards of ethics, propriety and regularity.

SPD is committed to the promotion of gender equality. SPD is also committed to ensuring that burdens on business are, wherever possible, minimised and that public procurement procedures do not unfairly disadvantage small and medium enterprises.

Public procurement must be conducted within a detailed legal framework which requires that procurement procedures focus on information relevant to ability to perform the particular contract in question. The legal framework which applies to procurement can be regarded as a kind of equal opportunities policy aimed at suppliers (by law, all suppliers must be treated fairly, equitably and proportionately).

SPD has published guidance for purchasers on the ways in which social issues, including equality issues, can be incorporated into procurement procedures.

SPD standard terms and conditions of contract require contractors to comply with all equalities legislation.

Suppliers tendering for Government contracts valued in excess of £90,000 are required to disclose any adverse rulings, judgements relating to the conduct of their business and are warned that failure to comply with applicable legislation may result in them being excluded from competition. [This "threshold value" is greater for non-central Government bodies and also for 'works' contracts].

GENDER EQUALITY ACTION PLAN

Name of Directorate

Scottish Development International

Directorate Responsibilities

Scottish Development International is the arm of the Scottish Government responsible for delivery of the government's international economic development agenda. As such, it is responsible for co-ordinating and driving the promotion of Scotland as a prime location for inward investors and for developing opportunities for Scottish-based businesses to internationalise. These activities primarily support the "Wealthier and Fairer" strategic objective, but also contribute to the wider objectives, e.g. through supporting renewable energy projects, by increasing workforce participation, creating better employment opportunities and making Scotland an attractive place to do business.

Scottish Development International is committed to tackling inequality and disadvantage between men and women. Whilst not directly responsible for policy development, SDI, will, where appropriate, carry out Equality Impact Assessments ( EQIAs) and/or engage with relevant stakeholders to help ensure understanding of gender equality issues.

What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, women and men affected by the Directorate Responsibilities.

Evidence does exist that gender discrimination still exists within the workplace. However, SDI's role is more general insofar as it seeks to attract inward investment projects and help companies to internationalise - gender equality behaviour of the organisations it works with and assists are not part of the rationale behind making that choice. Project choice is driven by the opportunity to derive disproportionate economic benefit to Scotland. There is no evidence at this time that there are any issues relating to the work of SDI.

Scottish Development International Gender Equality Action Plan

Key actions which are designed to address gender equality issues identified from evidence and actions which contribute to progressing the Government's gender equality policy objectives ( GEPO).
Policy	Action	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome	Contribute to GEPO (Yes/No)
Inward Investment	Ensure that there are no gender equality issues raised within the context of new inward investment opportunities, e.g. around the structure of roles to fill jobs.	All project managers	Continuous	Projects will be able to demonstrate a non-gender bias.	Yes (2)
Internationalisation	Ensure that there are no gender equality issues raised within the context of internationalisation projects supported.	All project managers	Continuous	Projects will be able to demonstrate a non-gender bias.	No

Key actions to take into account gender equality across main responsibilities, if not already covered above.
Policy	Actions to take forward gender equality	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome
Inward Investment and Internationalisation Projects	Ensure that gender equality issues are addressed during the assessment of suitable projects which drive the Government's Economic Strategy	SDI Management	Continuous	No projects are taken on that demonstrate any kind of gender bias not driven by legitimate requirements.

GENDER EQUALITY ACTION PLAN

Name of Directorate

Climate Change and Water Industry Directorate

Directorate Responsibilities

Climate Change and Water Industry Directorate is responsible for climate change policy, and for the ownership of Scottish Water.

This work contributes to the Government's 5 strategic objectives, and in particular, contributes towards a Greener Scotland and a Wealthier and Fairer Scotland.

Climate Change and Water Industry Directorate is committed to tackling inequality and disadvantage between men and women. In particular the Directorate will ensure that EQIAs are prepared as part of all policy development, and engage with relevant stakeholders to help understand gender equality issues.

What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, women and men affected by the Directorate Responsibilities.

Work on climate change adaptation and mitigation raises the possibility of gender-differentiated impacts.

Climate Change and Water Industry Gender Equality Action Plan

Key actions which are designed to address gender equality issues identified from evidence and actions which contribute to progressing the Government's gender equality policy objectives ( GEPO).
Policy	Action	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome	Contribute to GEPO (Yes/No)
Climate change	Question included in consultation paper for Scottish Climate Change Bill asking whether equality groups will be affected by the proposals in the proposed Bill	Climate Change Division	Ongoing	Gathered evidence of any specific issues for disadvantaged groups.	No
Climate Change	Equality groups invited to take part in stakeholder/consultation events on proposed Climate Change Bill	Climate Change Division	Ongoing	Gathered evidence of any specific issues for disadvantaged groups.	No
Climate Change	Equality Impact Assessment to be prepared for Scottish Climate Change Bill	Climate Change Division	During course of 2008	The extent of differential impact upon relevant groups determined and in turn whether that impact is adverse	No

Key actions to take into account gender equality across main responsibilities, if not already covered above.
Policy	Actions to take forward gender equality	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome
Climate change	To ensure that equality issues (including gender) are kept in mind, introduce standing item on equality, to Division meetings, on quarterly basis.	Climate Change Division	Ongoing	Equality is borne in mind as staff go about every day duties.

GENDER EQUALITY ACTION PLAN

Name of Directorate

Transport Directorate.

Directorate Responsibilities

Contributing towards the Government's strategic outcomes - including the promotion of sustainable economic growth and stronger and safer communities - through a safe, integrated and efficient transport network.

We aim to advance gender equality by assessing key and new relevant policies in a way which involves and reflects the views and experiences of both men and women appropriately. This should help to ensure that the relevant policy is developed and implemented in a way which challenges gender stereotypes, promotes equality of opportunity between women and men, and works towards eliminating all forms of unlawful discrimination.

We want to ensure that both men and women are properly catered for in our transport policies and strategies. We are already committed to delivering a transport system in Scotland that is safe, integrated and efficient.

We know, from statistical data, that there are differences in the patterns of transport use, experience, and travel behaviour between men and women (and that these are cut across by issues of disability, age, ethnicity and geographical location). We know, for instance, that women's travel journeys are statistically more likely to relate to caring and family responsibilities and to shopping, while men are more likely to travel for business and leisure.

Women are less likely to hold driving licenses, to be drivers, and to have access to a car for their private use. But they are also less likely to be involved in car accidents as drivers. On the other hand, women travel more by bus than men do. They are also, though, less likely to feel safe when travelling by bus in the evening.

Focus group research to explore the views of transport users on future transport policy in Scotland was conducted as part of the process of developing the National Transport Strategy ( NTS) for Scotland. In the women's focus groups, the issues of accessibility of buses for pram and pushchair users, and cost - particularly for those transporting more than one child - were raised.

Road safety statistics show that men are twice as likely to be involved in accidents as car drivers. They are also more likely to be killed or seriously injured in road accidents. Young men are at particular risk. Amongst children too, road casualty figures show that boys are injured more than girls as pedestrians and cyclists, although girls are more likely to be injured as car occupants and bus passengers.

Transport Directorate is seeking to address a number of such issues through gender-specific policies or initiatives - see Section 1 of the Action Plan below. Other differences may not necessarily in themselves be inequalities, but they do suggest that it is important to consider, monitor and evaluate the possibly different impacts that general transport policy have on men and women.

There is little information available for transgender people. However, focus group research to explore the views of transport users on future transport policy in Scotland conducted as part of the process of developing the National Transport Strategy ( NTS) for Scotland found that lesbian, gay, as well as transgender participants, were one of the groups most likely to feel that they had few particular transport needs.

Transport Directorate Gender Equality Action Plan

Key actions which are designed to address gender equality issues identified from evidence and actions which contribute to progressing the Government's gender equality policy objectives
Policy	Action	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome	Contribute to GEPO (Yes/No)
Scottish Road Safety Strategy	This is currently only at the consultation stage. The strategy itself will require a full EQIA - however, there is statistical evidence to show a disproportionate amount of young male drivers are killed or seriously injured on our roads and a higher number of male child pedestrians are killed on our roads than female and we will therefore target activity at this group. The consultation period and research/analysis will provide the steer as to how to do this.	Road Safety Team and Road Safety Scotland, both of Bus, Freight and Roads Division; and Transport Directorate - Analytical Services.	October 2008 and ongoing for implementation of policy	Fewer killed and seriously injured young male drivers and fewer killed and seriously injured male child pedestrians	No
Scottish Road Safety Strategy - evidence	Research to explore young people's views on, and experiences of, road safety issues is currently being commissioned to inform the Strategy. This will include gender analysis of the findings and will inform the proposed approach to tackle road safety issues amongst young men in particular.	Road Safety Team and Road Safety Scotland, both of Bus, Freight and Roads Division; and Transport Directorate -Analytical Services	Early August 2008	An evidence-informed approach to tackling road safety issues amongst young men that will help to reduce road accidents amongst this group.	No
Moving into the future: an action plan for buses	We want Scotland to develop a comprehensive bus network where sustainable bus services are delivered to a high quality. The Bus Action Plan ( BAP) sets out 17 actions to deliver on the vision. From the Scottish Household Survey Travel Diary we know that women make more use of buses than men for a more disparate set of activities. They are also more likely to have caring responsibilities and additional accessibility requirements as a result. We will identify where more detailed EQIA should be carried out to further assess policies.	The key stakeholders involved in the BAP Steering Group and Bus, Freight and Roads Directorate.	Ongoing and for policy implementation	Increase the quality and provision of bus services.	No.
Bus evidence	Bus Information Survey to provide large scale data on the views and experiences of men and women bus users as well as non-users.	Bus, Freight and Roads Division; and Transport Directorate -Analytical Services	End 2008	An evidence-informed approach to promoting good practice - with respect to gender and other issues - across Scotland.	No

Key actions to take into account gender equality across Directorate main responsibilities, if not already covered above.
Policy	Actions to take forward gender equality	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome
Assessing Regional Transport Partnerships ( RTPs) strategies ( RTSs) against gender equality assessment guidance.	Seeking to ensure RTPs undertake gender impact assessments as part of their RTS development and how transport will encourage equal opportunities locally.	Local Authority and Partnership Liaison Team in association with other Scottish Government stakeholders.	Subject to delivery of agreed drafts for Ministerial approval - expected in Spring 2008.	RTPs are subject to the General Gender Duty and are consulted about other equality issues. RTPs will address social inclusion and equality matters in their RTS and when meeting regional transport needs.
Scotland's National Transport Strategy ( NTS)	The NTS contains the following general equalities statement - "It is essential that all involved in transport in Scotland at the national, regional and local level ensure that when developing policy or making decisions about service delivery, full account has been taken of the six strands of equalities that the Scottish Government is committed to mainstreaming: race, disability, sex/gender, age, sexual orientation and faith or religious belief. We are developing a National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan. This comprehensive plan of Scottish transport priorities, policies and initiatives will set out the actions we will take, within the context of the national performance framework to support the purpose of this Government. We will deliver the national outcomes and realise the NTS strategic outcomes by working in partnership with local authorities and transport operators. SG maintains a commitment to invest in transport; this reflects our commitment to creating a Scotland with a well connected, safe and reliable transport system to help deliver increased sustainable economic growth.	All stakeholders involved in transport policy or delivery - Transport Directorate/Transport Scotland/ RTPs/ LAs as well as transport operators.	Ongoing - first review of NTS will be 2010	The six strands of equalities that the Scottish Government is committed to mainstreaming become mainstreamed in the development of transport policy and the delivery of transport across Scotland.
Amalgamation of MACS and PTUC	Continued sponsorship and support of PTUC who gather views of all passengers using public transport - though not gender specific - with the aim of improving the experience of all users.	Transport Strategy, PTUC, representative organisations.	Ongoing	Greater knowledge and understanding of passenger experience.

GENDER EQUALITY ACTION PLAN

Name of Agency

Transport Scotland

Directorate Responsibilities

Transport Scotland, established in January 2006, is the national transport agency for Scotland. Transport Scotland plays a key part in improving and expanding Scotland's public transport infrastructure and in promoting transport integration. The Agency is responsible for the rail and trunk road networks and oversees their operation and management. The Agency also supports the delivery of the programme of current and future major infrastructure projects for road and rail; has established and is running the Scotland-wide free bus scheme for older and disabled people; and oversees the provision of impartial travel information services and supports the increased provision of integrated tickets.

Statement of Agency Commitment to the Promotion of Gender Equality and how this helps to deliver Government's national purpose and outcomes and contributes to progressing the Government's gender equality scheme objectives.

Transport Scotland is committed to ensuring that its policies meet the diverse needs of people across Scotland - taking into account the needs which might arise due to an individual's age, gender, race, sexual orientation, disability and religion/belief.

Transport Scotland is committed to ensuring that our people are aware of their responsibilities in this regard and are equipped to undertake their duties accordingly. It is further committed to initial and, where appropriate, ongoing impact assessment of its activities on an equalities basis.

Transport Scotland will advance gender equality by evaluating key, and all new, policies in a way which involves and reflects the views of both women and men appropriately, in order to ensure that relevant policy is developed and implemented in a way which challenges gender stereotypes, promotes equality of opportunity between women and men and which works towards eliminating all forms of unlawful discrimination.

Transport Scotland's overarching objective is to ensure that, as a Scottish Government Agency, we are doing all we can to advance gender equality, primarily through the mainstreaming of gender equality throughout our policies and practice. We recognise that, in a society where women and men do not have equal outcomes in the workplace or in education, Transport Scotland has a pivotal role to play in progressing gender equality in Scotland.

What is known about the experiences of, and issues for, women and men affected by the Agency Responsibilities.

In 2000, the Scottish Executive commissioned research into Women and Transport. This research led to the publication of guidance and a checklist for policy makers. We know that women and men do not have identical profiles in terms of the use of both public and private transport. The impact of these differences is something that we know we must take account of right across our transport policies.

For example, our research highlighted a number of issues that are marked by differences in terms of gender and we know that these gendered differences are also cut across by issues of disability, age and ethnicity (particularly in terms of accessibility and perceptions of safety).

We know that women's access to cars is more limited than men's; we know that women are more likely to travel by public transport, as car passengers and on foot than men; we know that women's trips are more likely to relate to caring and family responsibilities, while men are more likely to travel for business and leisure and we know that women are more likely to make trips to and from education (including escorting children) and more shopping trips than men. We know that women tend to make more journeys using public transport when they are with children or otherwise "encumbered" (for example, shopping).

There are a myriad of factors that we need to take into account, and these differences suggest that the ways in which public transport is provided has a differential impact on women, requiring consideration of the key issues affecting them - and their potential impact - in the policy-making process. Although the issues we set out here impact on many men as well, our research tells us that women are disproportionately affected by these issues.

Transport Scotland Gender Equality Action Plan

Key actions which are designed to address gender equality issues identified from evidence and actions which contribute to progressing the Government's gender equality policy objectives ( GEPO).
Policy	Action	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome	Contribute to GEPO (Yes/No)
Scotland's National Transport Strategy ( NTS)	The NTS contains the following general equalities statement - "It is essential that all involved in transport in Scotland at the national, regional and local level ensure that when developing policy or making decisions about service delivery, full account has been taken of the six strands of equalities that the Scottish Government is committed to mainstreaming: race, disability, sex/gender, age, sexual orientation and faith or religious belief. We are developing a National Transport Strategy Delivery Plan. This comprehensive plan of Scottish transport priorities, policies and initiatives. We will set out the actions we will take, within the context of the national performance framework to support the purpose of this Government. We will deliver the national outcomes and realise the NTS strategic outcomes by working in partnership with local authorities and transport operators. SG maintains a commitment to invest in transport; this reflects our commitment to creating a Scotland with a well connected, safe and reliable transport system to help deliver increased sustainable economic growth.	All stakeholders involved in transport policy or delivery - Transport Directorate/Transport Scotland/ RTPs/ LAs as well as transport operators.	Ongoing - first review of NTS will be 2010	The six strands of equalities that the Scottish Government is committed to mainstreaming become mainstreamed in the development of transport policy and the delivery of transport across Scotland.	Yes (8)
Scottish Road Safety Strategy	This is currently only at the consultation stage, the strategy itself will require a full EQIA, however there is statistical evidence to show a disproportionate amount of young male drivers are killed or seriously injured on our roads and a higher number of male child pedestrians are killed on our roads than female and we will therefore target activity at these group. The consultation period and research/analysis will provide the steer as to how to do this.	Road Safety Team and Road Safety Scotland, Bus, Freight and Roads Division, Transport Directorate, Analytical Services	October 2008 and ongoing for implementation of policy	Fewer killed and seriously injured young male drivers and fewer killed and seriously injured male child pedestrians	No
Scottish Road Safety Strategy	Research to explore young people's views on and experiences of road safety issues is currently being commissioned to inform the Strategy. This will include gender analysis of the findings and will inform the proposed approach to tackle road safety issues amongst young men in particular.		Early August 2008	An evidence-informed approach to tackling road safety issues amongst young men that will help to reduce road accidents amongst this group.	No
Amalgamation of MACS and PTUC	Continued sponsorship and support of PTUC who gather views of all passengers using public transport, however, not gender specific, with the aim of improving the experience for all.	Transport Strategy, PTUC, representative organisations	Ongoing	Greater knowledge and understanding of passenger experience	No

Key actions to take into account gender equality across main responsibilities, if not already covered above.
Policy	Actions to take forward gender equality	By whom	By when	Expected Outcome
We will put in place arrangements to ensure that our policies, services and functions pay due regard to the need to eliminate any unlawful discrimination between women and men.	We will introduce equality awareness training for staff so they are clear about their responsibilities towards female and male customers and/or stakeholders; We will ensure processes are in place to support identification and resolution of complaints regarding sexual harassment; and We will ensure all policy teams use the impact assessment tool during early policy development to take account of existing discrimination and tackle any evidence of discrimination in policies.	All Transport Scotland	Ongoing	Satisfaction from our stakeholders that the gender duty is being observed in a meaningful and effective manner; with necessary information in place to demonstrate that on an ongoing basis.
We will put in place arrangements to ensure that our policies, services, functions are able to pay due regard to the need to promote equality of opportunity between women and men.	We will embed a question in all new consultations (where appropriate) about equality; We will enable all policy teams to use the equality impact assessment tool as part of policy proofing stage; We will incorporate impact assessment tools in option appraisals for Ministers; We will ensure, where possible, that mainstream provision is inclusive of the needs of men and women rather than making adjustments as an add-on provision; and We will continue to add and expand collection of data relating to participation of men and women in our provision.	All Transport Scotland	Ongoing	Satisfaction from our stakeholders that the gender duty is being observed in a meaningful and effective manner; with necessary information in place to demonstrate that on an ongoing basis.
We will identify gender equality goals and outcomes for our area of work.	We will work with our Human Resources team to ensure that, where they do not already exist, the necessary baseline information is established and that appropriate monitoring milestones, and means of meeting these. are built in to this process; We will embed a question in all new consultations (where appropriate) about equality; We will enable all policy teams to use the equality impact assessment tool as part of policy proofing stage; and We will incorporate impact assessment tools in option appraisals for Ministers.	All Transport Scotland	Ongoing	Satisfaction from our stakeholders that the gender duty is being observed in a meaningful and effective manner; with necessary information in place to demonstrate that on an ongoing basis.
We will ensure that employees, stakeholders and/or service users are consulted in the process of setting gender equality goals and outcomes for your area of work.	We will support all policy teams to involve a representative stakeholder body in policy development and, where appropriate, the process of setting equality goals and outcomes.	All Transport Scotland	Ongoing	Satisfaction from our stakeholders that the gender duty is being observed in a meaningful and effective manner; with necessary information in place to demonstrate that on an ongoing basis.
We will put in place arrangements to ensure that we are able to report on progress on an annual basis.	We will work with our Human Resources team to ensure that, where they do not already exist, the necessary baseline information is established and that appropriate monitoring milestones, and means of meeting these. are built in to this process. We follow SG main policies and procedures on Diversity and as part of this we ensure that all selection panels for posts within Transport Scotland are gender balanced. Our recruitment adverts also confirm our equal opportunities policy which states that all staff should be treated equally irrespective of their sex. In addition, we have a flexible working policy which can allow all staff greater flexibility in the management of their work/life balance.	All Transport Scotland	Ongoing	Satisfaction from our stakeholders that the gender duty is being observed in a meaningful and effective manner; with necessary information in place to demonstrate that on an ongoing basis.

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