Changing Places Toilets: FOI release

Information requested

The Scottish Government's position on the UK Government's announcement that it will deliver an additional 600 new Changing Places Toilets, meaning that England will have 1,900 in total, in the context of the Scottish Government's own work in progressing its investment programme to ensure that new Changing Places Toilets which are built are fit for purpose.

Response

The information you have requested is available in the Scottish Government’s A Fairer, Greener Scotland: Programme for Government 2021-22. (https://www.gov.scot/publications/fairer-greenerscotland- programme-government-2021-22/documents/)

Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. However I have provided the following information which I hope you find helpful and will answer your query.

The Scottish Government will invest in Changing Places Toilets over this parliamentary term, in order to increase the number of these facilities across the country and support mobile Changing Places Toilets to allow people easier access to events and outdoor venues.

The Scottish Government knows that Changing Places Toilets make a real difference to disabled people and their families and wants to see greater provision of these vital facilities across Scotland. The provision of these fundamental facilities offers everyone in Scotland dignity and freedom.

The Scottish Government’s investment will be delivered in phases over the course of the parliamentary term. We are progressing with the first phase of work in order to design an investment programme that ensures that the Changing Places Toilets which are built are fit for purpose. A key aim of our work is to see attitudes transform across Scotland so that more people are aware of, and understand the importance of, Changing Places Toilet facilities.

We have recently published our Changing Places Toilets: Planning Guide and accompanying easy read. This guide, written in collaboration with PAMIS (Promoting A More Inclusive Society), details practical considerations when considering installing a Changing Places Toilet.

About FOI

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