The findings were published from an evaluation of two pilots in Scotland that used co-production as a method of working with disabled people to ensure that their needs were addressed in local housing strategies
Source: Anna Evans, Mandy Littlewood, David Henderson, and Sandra Grant, Evaluation of Local Housing Strategies Co-Production Pilots with Disabled People, Scottish Government
Date: 2011-Dec
A report said that, despite some important progress, certain inequalities in Scotland – especially in income and health – were persisting and deepening.
Source: The Position of Scotland's Equality Groups: Revisiting resilience in 2011, Scottish Government
Links: Report
Date: 2011-Nov
The Scottish Government began consultation on proposals for same-sex marriage and religious ceremonies for civil partnerships. It said that its initial view was that same-sex marriage should be introduced: but that faith groups and their celebrants should not be obliged to solemnize same-sex marriages.
Source: The Registration of Civil Partnerships/Same Sex Marriage: A Consultation, Scottish Government
Links: Consultation document | Scottish Government press release | CARE for Scotland press release | Christian Institute report | Evangelical Alliance press release | Stonewall response | BBC report
Date: 2011-Sep
An article examined the policy and law-making programmes of the devolved administrations in respect of the promotion of equality and human rights through the education system. The administrations had made some advances in embedding the promotion of equality and human rights in the policy framework covering the schools curriculum, teacher training, and inspections: notwithstanding this, a number of issues and shortcomings were identified.
Source: Paul Chaney, 'Education, equality and human rights: exploring the impact of devolution in the UK', Critical Social Policy, Volume 31 Issue 3
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Aug
An annual survey examined attitudes towards discrimination and positive action in Scotland. Only a minority of people in Scotland (28 per cent) felt that there was sometimes good reason to be prejudiced, while two-thirds felt that Scotland should do everything it could to get rid of all kinds of prejudice. Some sections of society – particularly those with lower levels of educational attainment and older people – were more likely than others to feel that prejudice was sometimes acceptable, and to express discriminatory views about particular groups.
Source: Rachel Ormston, John Curtice, Susan McConville, and Susan Reid, Scottish Social Attitudes Survey 2010: Attitudes to Discrimination and Positive Action, Scottish Government
Date: 2011-Aug
A briefing paper examined equality and human rights legislation in Northern Ireland in the light of European Union and international obligations.
Source: Equality and Human Rights Legislation in Northern Ireland: A Review, Briefing Note 75/11, Northern Ireland Assembly
Links: Briefing
Date: 2011-Jul
The Scottish Government published a Bill designed to crack down on sectarian and other forms of hatred, particularly in connexion with football.
Source: Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Scotland) Bill, Scottish Government, TSO
Links: Bill | Explanatory notes | Policy memorandum | Scottish Government press release | Evangelical Alliance press release | Scottish Episcopal Church press release | BBC report (1) | BBC report (2) | Guardian report | Ekklesia report
Date: 2011-Jun
An article examined the implications of adopting social audit approaches in order to implement equality policies in Scotland, drawing on data from an evaluation of pubic sector bodies disability equality schemes.
Source: Rowena Arshad and Sheila Riddell, 'Managing disability equality in Scotland: tensions between social audit and disability equality', Social Policy and Society, Volume 10 Issue 2
Links: Abstract
Date: 2011-Apr
A study reviewed literature and datasets to establish the main patterns, themes, and issues from research on ethnicity and poverty in Scotland.
Source: Gina Netto, Filip Sosenko, and Glen Bramley, Poverty and Ethnicity in Scotland: Review of the literature and datasets, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Date: 2011-Apr
A study examined differences in the experiences of low income and poverty among people from minority-ethnic backgrounds in two different regions of Scotland. All participants associated poverty with limited choice and opportunities in accessing food, warmth, and accommodation.
Source: Philomena de Lima, Rowena Arshad, Alan Bell, and Tim Braunholtz-Speight, Community Consultation on Poverty and Ethnicity in Scotland, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Date: 2011-Apr
The equality and human rights watchdog in Scotland published a report calling on the Scottish Government to allow gay and transgender people to marry.
Source: Eddie Follan and Malcolm Sayers, Equal Access to Marriage: Ending the segregation of same-sex couples and transgender people in Scotland, Equality and Human Rights Commission Scotland
Links: Report | EHRC press release
Date: 2011-Mar
A collection of essays (by leading politicians and academics) examined the issue of race equality in Scotland.
Source: Robin Frampton (ed.), Achieving Race Equality In Scotland, Runnymede Trust
Links: Summary
Date: 2011-Mar
A report examined the experiences of Muslims living in Scotland, with a specific focus on experiences of discrimination and religious intolerance. For many of the research participants, their area of residence was a site of unpleasant encounters: most had had some experience of unfriendliness and hostility that they saw as unequivocally racist.
Source: Sara Kidd and Lynn Jamieson, Experiences of Muslims Living in Scotland, Scottish Government
Date: 2011-Mar
A study examined experiences of poverty among people from ethnic backgrounds in Scotland. All participants associated poverty with limited choice and opportunities in accessing food, warmth, and accommodation. They also emphasized economic factors such as poor access to well-paid, secure employment.
Source: Philomena de Lima, Rowena Arshad, Alan Bell, and Tim Braunholtz-Speight, Community Consultation on Poverty and Ethnicity in Scotland, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Links: Findings
Date: 2011-Feb
A report said that although refugees living in Scotland wanted to belong and identify with Britain, they were being prevented from doing so. Barriers to applying for citizenship including prohibitively high costs, and lack of information.
Source: Emma Stewart and Gareth Mulvey, Becoming British Citizens? Experiences and opinions of refugees living in Scotland, Scottish Refugee Council
Links: Report | SRC press release
Date: 2011-Feb
A study reviewed literature and datasets to establish the main patterns, themes, and issues from research on ethnicity and poverty in Scotland. All minority-ethnic groups in Scotland appeared disadvantaged on one or more poverty indicators.
Source: Gina Netto, Filip Sosenko, and Glen Bramley, A Review of Poverty and Ethnicity in Scotland, Joseph Rowntree Foundation
Links: Findings
Date: 2011-Feb
