PURPOSE
Public authorities have a central role to play in improving the lives of the people of Scotland. This includes tackling the disadvantage and inequality faced by communities. Progress and improvement will be made more quickly if public authorities are active in promoting equality and tackling discrimination.
The UK Government's Equality Act 2010 includes a public sector equality duty - 'the general duty' - designed to help public authorities promote equality and tackle discrimination. Further 'specific duties' can be placed on public authorities to enable the better performance of the general duty.
Scottish Ministers intend to make some additions to the list of bodies covered by the general duty, and to impose further 'specific duties' on some Scottish public authorities.
The purpose of this consultation is to seek the views of stakeholders and members of the public on:
- The list of Scottish public authorities to be made subject to the general duty
- The list of Scottish public authorities to be made subject to the specific duties
- The content of the specific duties, which are intended to enable the better performance of the general duty