Equality Budget Advisory Group: workplan

January – human rights budgeting

Robert Watts from Strathclyde Uni to come talk about his parliamentary fellowship on human rights budgeting (SPICe report).

Members have raised resourcing within the Scottish Government, noting in particular the need to ensure that resourcing and capacity is dedicated human rights in policy analysis and development, human rights education and training and the work on the forthcoming Human Rights Bill. 

Session aim: Influence, provide input and build understanding

February - strategic review of funding for violence against women and girls

Lesley Irving, the Chair of the review to speak to the group. This would be beneficial for members to explore as June is expected for the final report on Violence Against Women and Girls funding, and requests for information on funding allocation and evaluation of spend are currently live within Scottish Government.

Session aim: Influence, provide input and build understanding

March – the Equality and Human Rights Budget Advisory Group recommendations 

Members will have the opportunity to discuss the Scottish Government responses on the recommendations.

Session aim: Building relationships; strengthens communication and accountability

April - National Care Service review

Rescheduled from November 2022. Members noted that they would like to see where allocated budget is being spent within the National Care Service. They requested input from the analysts who can give insight into the statistics and data, as well as, the policy makers. 

Session aim: Influence, provide input and build understanding; clarify processes being introduced to identify and evaluate spend allocation and outcomes

May - National Strategy of Economic Transformation

National Strategy of Economic Transformation session including an update on the Centre of Expertise in Economy.

Session aim: Influence, provide input and build understanding

June - children’s rights budgeting

It was noted that children’s budgeting had been increasingly discussed within Scottish Government and an update from the Children’s Rights Team would be welcomed. In relation to childcare, members requested to understand where the new spend is coming from and how outcomes are being assessed and framed.

Session aim: Understand key issues and potential areas of focus

July - pre-budget scrutiny work

At this point in the process, members should be aligned with the budget process and considering the pre-budget scrutiny phase. As well as, making the group’s recommendations and providing scrutiny around the process.

Session aim: Building relationships; strengthens communication and accountability

August - National Care Service update 

Members noted that they would welcome the opportunity for the National Care Service team to return later in the year and to update them on the operationalising of Social Care as well as revisiting the analysis on spend and outcome. It was noted that it would be helpful to look at the wider issues within Social Care so suggested deep dive on this topic. Propose to include representatives from: NHS, care, local government.

Session aim: Influence, provide input and build understanding of key issues and potential areas of focus

September - employment, employability and child poverty

Use the previous quarter to input directly into this session as the topics are all relevant, including an update from progress from our drug deaths deep dive. Members have also requested an update on the recent change to the Best Start Grant. In particular, they were keen to understand the nature of the change and the impact of it. 

Session aim: Understand key issues and potential areas of focus; increasing knowledge, building capabilities

October - draft Budget and the Equality and Fairer Scotland Budget Statement

Members would benefit from advice and reviewing areas of the draft Budget and EFSBS (or alternative) documentation and process.

Session aim: Building relationships; strengthens communication and accountability

November – international comparators

An opportunity for the group to revisit international comparators and to start thinking about the last year in terms of any progress. Option to bring back speakers/have new speakers to further explore topic and to understand any advancements and potentially share successes.

Session aim: Capability building

December - review of the Public Sector Equality Duty; mainstreaming and key Scottish Government budget work

Opportunity to review of the group’s work items and plan for year ahead. Members can review the year as a whole, successes and lessons learned.

Session aim: Building relationships; strengthens communication and accountability

Rolling items for 2023 meetings 

• standing item – budget and process updates
• review of the group’s recommendations
• Public Sector Equality Duty review
• mainstreaming updates
• National Advisory Council on Women and Girls
• National Strategy for Economic Transformation
• progress on human rights incorporation