Equality and Fairer Scotland Budget Statement 2022-2023

The Equality and Fairer Scotland Budget Statement (EFSBS) 2022-23 assesses where the Scottish Government is proposing to spend public money and how it aims to reduce inequality. The EFSBS is a supporting document to the Scottish Budget and should be read alongside associated Budget publications.


Context for the budget

These are the major events and social issues that are particularly relevant to the 2022-23 Scottish Budget.

Climate emergency

We are facing a growing climate and nature emergency and an urgent need to reduce our carbon emissions.

COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has had many negative impacts on our national outcomes. We know that the impact of the pandemic has not been experienced equally. It has both highlighted the inequalities in our society and made them worse. Our COVID Recovery Strategy sets out our vision for recovery.

Child poverty

A quarter (24%) of children in Scotland were in relative poverty in 2017-20, and impacts of COVID-19 risk making this worse. Significant progress needs to be made in the years ahead to meet our national targets and achieve our mission to end child poverty.

Violence against women and girls

There have been several high-profile murders of women this year, although violence against women and girls is a longstanding issue in our society. It damages health and wellbeing, limits freedom and potential, and is a violation of fundamental human rights.

Brexit

The UK's exit from the EU, and the deal agreed by the UK Government, is already having a range of negative impacts for Scotland.

Contact

Email: liz.hawkins@gov.scot

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