Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) training hours, expense and materials: FOI release

Information requested

1. In your response to FOI request 202400410027, you showed that inclusive culture training was introduced in June 2021, and that after 2021-22, the number of hours spent on inclusive culture training and expense on inclusive culture training decreased significantly to 2023-24. Please account for and explain this decrease.

2. Did any UK Government decisions influence the choice to introduce inclusive culture training in June 2021, or influence the subsequent reduction in expense?

3. Please provide all materials from the Scottish Government’s inclusive culture training referenced in 202400410027 (handouts, distributed documents, presentation slides, presentation notes, interactive elements etc.).

4. Before June 2021, what training most closely related to the Scottish Government’s current inclusivity/DEI policy existed? (by ‘existed’ I mean there was a policy of applying this training to employees, and/or many employees had received this training whilst working for the Scottish Government).

5. Did the Scottish Government consult with any third-party firms/organisations on the formation/execution of its inclusive culture training? If so, please provide the names of these firms, and the amount of money paid to them, annually, from 2018 to present and for what exact purposes this money was provided.

Response

1) You asked: In your response to FOI request 202400410027, you showed that inclusive culture training was introduced in June 2021, and that after 2021-22, the number of hours spent on inclusive culture training and expense on inclusive culture training decreased significantly to 2023-24. Please account for and explain this decrease.

The reason for the reduction is that the inclusive culture training was initially developed and then delivered as a live session to all core staff in Scottish Government as part of its initial roll out. The second phase was to continue delivery via e-learning modules. The self-learning module has a shorter timeframe on average to complete and no additional outlays.

2) You asked: Did any UK Government decisions influence the choice to introduce inclusive culture training in June 2021, or influence the subsequent reduction in expense?

The UK Government did not influence the choice to introduce inclusive culture training. The decision to introduce the training was made after completing external benchmarking into diversity and inclusion training within the organisation. The reduction in expense was due to the costs to develop the content being initial outlays only.

3) You asked: Please provide all materials from the Scottish Government’s inclusive culture training referenced in 202400410027 (handouts, distributed documents, presentation slides, presentation notes, interactive elements etc.).

Please see attached.

4) You asked: Before June 2021, what training most closely related to the Scottish Government’s current inclusivity/DEI policy existed? (by ‘existed’ I mean there was a policy of applying this training to employees, and/or many employees had received this training whilst working for the Scottish Government).

Under section 17(1) While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance we are unable to provide the information you have requested because it does not exist.

5) You asked: Did the Scottish Government consult with any third-party firms/organisations on the formation/execution of its inclusive culture training? If so, please provide the names of these firms, and the amount of money paid to them, annually, from 2018 to present and for what exact purposes this money was provided.

The Employers Network of Equality and Inclusion (ENEI) were commissioned to develop the content and adapt according to the needs of Scottish Government. ENEI also provided train the trainer sessions to upskill a pool of volunteers as facilitators in the topic and to deliver with confidence. The Scottish Government are also a member of ENEI for advice and learning resources which is included in the financial information.

Most of the information you have requested is available from Costs for external support and expertise in delivering employment equality: FOI release - gov.scot (www.gov.scot) Under section 25(1) of FOISA, we do not have to give you information which is already reasonably accessible to you. If, however, you do not have internet access to obtain this information from the website(s) listed, then please contact me again and I will send you a paper copy. During the financial year 2023-2024 £1800 membership fee was paid to ENEI however this is not attached to the training discussed.

Due to the size of the files we are unable to upload the documents referred to above.

If you wish to consider, please contact us at the address below and we will be happy to provide.

About FOI

The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.