Poverty and inequality in Scotland

Scottish Government statistics show that more than 1 in 5 Scots are currently living in poverty, and 1 in every 4 children. Approximately 490,000 people live in very deep poverty, accounting for about 1 in 10 people in the country.

In addition to this, over recent years household income has increased more for those with higher incomes, meaning that inequalities are growing.

These inequalities can have a range of effects on individuals, families and communities, including health outcomes, educational barriers, and economic instability. Poverty is also closely linked to social inequality, affecting marginalised groups disproportionately.

What is the Fairer Scotland Duty?

The Fairer Scotland Duty is set out under Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010, as the ‘public sector duty regarding socio-economic inequalities’. It came into force in April 2018. It aims to tackle the effects of the inequalities described above.

Guidance for Public Bodies on meeting the duty states that public bodies – including the Authority – should:

• actively consider what more they can do to reduce the inequalities of outcome in any major strategic decision they make.
• publish a written assessment, showing how they have done this.

The Regulator for the Fairer Scotland Duty is the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC); this body is involved in monitoring and developing best practice.

How does the Authority meet the duty?

When considering reports at full Authority and committee meetings, Authority Members explore a range of potential equality and human rights implications, and this includes those relating to socio-economic disadvantage. Officers and staff presenting reports are expected, where appropriate, to include the results of any impact assessment that has been carried out. This is particularly important when considering any strategic decision making, policy development, or budget decisions.

The Authority also promotes a better understanding of public confidence in policing and experience of policing across Scotland, including in areas of the country that experience deprivation, through its work on public polling and other public and stakeholder engagement on key policy areas. Using these research opportunities to explore the impact of decisions on these communities is another way in which we can meet the Fairer Scotland Duty.

A range of links are provided below that evidence this work.