Fairer Scotland

  • Why we are providing period products and removing the stigma

    14th February 2020 by

    The Scottish Government has taken world-leading action to ensure that, for the first time, people have access to free sanitary products. It is our mission too to remove any stigma associated with periods, which are experienced by half of the population. Our action is backed up with £15 million of investment and it has ensured...

    Read more

  • Investing in Scotland’s social security system

    13th February 2020 by

    We are creating the infrastructure for a new public service for Scotland. Our new social security system, is an important investment in the people of Scotland now and for generations to come. Yesterday I outlined how we are taking this new programme further. We have met and surpassed our commitments to date, having already established...

    Read more

  • Progress made on tackling homelessness

    14th January 2020 by

    CEO of Crisis and Chair of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group Jon Sparkes welcomes progress made since the launch of the Ending Homelessness Together Action Plan. The Scottish Government asked some big questions of the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group (HARSAG) reflecting a serious commitment to addressing homelessness in Scotland. The ambition...

    Read more

  • There is room for everyone in Scotland

    5th January 2020 by

    Throughout last year, I had the pleasure of meeting many of Scotland’s faith communities and have enjoyed learning more about their traditions and hearing about their experiences. There exists a remarkably strong working relationship between the faith communities in Scotland and this is invaluable. As I look back on last year, there have been so...

    Read more

  • Gender Recognition Act consultation

    17th December 2019 by

    In a statement to the Scottish Parliament in June, I announced that the Scottish Government would consult on a draft Bill to reform the process by which trans people obtain legal recognition of their lived gender through a Gender Recognition Certificate – a right they have had for 15 years. We first consulted on these...

    Read more

  • Challenging racism in Scotland – Guest blog from Danny Boyle, BEMIS Scotland

    18th October 2019 by

    “Tackling racism and building connected communities is not a side issue. This is one of the most important things in society. We need the science of data – but we need the science of stories too” BEMIS Scotland held a thematic conference on prejudice motivated by racial and religious hatred earlier this week. Our intention...

    Read more

  • No one in Scotland should have to rely on charitable food donations

    16th October 2019 by

    Today is World Food Day and an important opportunity to reflect. No one in Scotland should be left hungry and have to rely on charitable food donations. The theme that the UN have set for this year’s World Food Day is healthy diets for a zero hunger world. This speaks to many aspects of what...

    Read more

  • Small Steps, Big Changes – Guest blog from Sarah Robinson Galloway, YouthLink Scotland

    16th October 2019 by

    When I graduated from university our Chancellor told me to ‘go change the world’ which she probably also said to the hundreds of other students graduating that day. I took it as sentimentality at the time but now I have found myself in a job where I am trying to do just that. I am...

    Read more

  • Hate crime has no place in Scotland

    15th October 2019 by

    The impact of hate crime has hugely damaging effects on victims, families and communities. Whether it’s rooted in sexual orientation, racism, islamophobia or any other form, it is unacceptable and should not be tolerated. Quite simply, there is no place for hate crime. Hate Crime Awareness Week is important because intolerance and prejudice can weave...

    Read more

  • The challenge to end poverty

    7th October 2019 by

    Communities Secretary Aileen Campbell

    Tens of thousands of people in Scotland are at risk of being pushed into poverty if there is a ‘no deal’ Brexit. That is the stark analysis I presented to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Thérèse Coffey this week. I warned her of the danger of pushing a further 130,000 people into...

    Read more