How the Scottish Parliament ensures Human Rights are respected in Scotland is to be the subject of a new Holyrood committee inquiry. The Equalities and Human Rights Committee has launched a call for views and hopes to hear from as many people in Scotland as possible. In particular, it is seeking to hear from human rights experts as well as those with lived experience of fighting for their rights. Continue reading Have your say on Human Rights
A new independent scrutiny body that will hold Scotland’s social security system to account is to be created by the Scottish Government. Continue reading New independent body will hold Scotland’s social security system to account
Universal Credit contributing to child poverty
‘Broken’ benefits system failing Scotland’s families
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has called on the new Secretary of State for Work and Pensions to make urgent changes to Universal Credit (UC) as she backed warnings from Scotland’s Children’s Commissioner Bruce Adamson over the ‘disproportionate effect’ of UK Government welfare policies on young people. Continue reading First Minister calls for changes to “broken welfare state”
Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee has published its findings into the Scottish Government’s Draft Budget. Released on World Human Rights Day, the committee is urging the Government not to step back in equalities budgeting, after having led the way in this area for many years. Continue reading Mainstream Human Rights in future budgets, urges Equalities and Human Rights Committee
Everyone has a role in stopping fundamental violations of human rights against women and girls Equalities Secretary, Angela Constance will tell parliament today. Continue reading Preventing violence against women: we all have a part to play
Holyrood’s Equalities and Human Rights Committee is looking to hear views from the general public as the Historical Sexual Offences (Pardons and Disregards) Bill starts its journey through the Scottish Parliament. Continue reading Equalities Committee seeks views on Historic Pardons Bill
Increasing number of potential victims being identified in Scotland
Human trafficking may be closer than most Scots think, a new awareness campaign has revealed. For the first time, the locations where victims of human trafficking have been identified over the last five years have been pinpointed to challenge perceptions that the crime is confined to Scotland’s major towns and cities. Continue reading Modern slavery: it could be closer than you think …
Northern and Leith MSP urges Tories to protect human rights
In a debate in the Scottish Parliament this week SNP MSP Ben Macpherson called on the Scottish Tories not to bow to Theresa May on any proposals to scrap the Human Rights Act. Continue reading Macpherson challenges Scots Tories: stand up to Theresa May
To mark the national day against slavery on October 18, International Development Secretary Priti Patel outlined an increase in support for women and girl refugees in Jordan, Iraq and Lebanon, and for vulnerable people at risk of trafficking on migration routes in North Africa and Europe. The Scottish Government also launched a consultation on human trafficking last week. Continue reading UK steps up to support global fight against slavery and child exploitation
The Prime Minister has written an article explaining how her government will lead the way in defeating modern slavery.
A year ago the Modern Slavery Act that I brought forward as Home Secretary came into force. Continue reading PM Theresa May: Defeating modern slavery
