Tag: Scottish Government

Carers in education urged not to miss out on extra money

Financial support for student carers

This National Student Money Week (3 – 7 March 2025), unpaid carers in education are being encouraged to check if they are entitled to financial help from Social Security Scotland. 

It is estimated that there are around 35,000 unpaid carers attending college or university in Scotland. The type of help they provide includes emotional, mental or physical support for a family member, friend or neighbour. But many don’t recognise themselves as a carer, which could mean they are missing out on extra money. 

There are three payments delivered by Social Security Scotland that could help student carers during their studies:  

Carer Support Payment replaces Carer’s Allowance in Scotland. Unlike Carer’s Allowance, it is available to more carers in education.  

Young Carer Grant and Carer’s Allowance Supplement are only available in Scotland.

Louise Reid, Student Support Adviser at the University of the West of Scotland (UWS) and Financial Capability Champion on the National Association of Student Money Advisors (NASMA) Board, explains the importance of this type of help. 

“Students, alongside wider society, are consistently pushed to the limit financially from sources outside their control. The cost of housing, energy and food have all been consistently high and this hits student carers particularly hard.  

“As caring responsibilities can limit or completely reduce any capacity for part time work to top up existing student funding, additional financial resources are vital.  

“Carer Support Payment is an invaluable financial resource that can make the difference between continuing with studies or not. Being able to claim this benefit, whilst studying really makes such a difference to students who provide care.”  

To find out more about all Social Security Scotland payments for carers, visit mygov.scot/carers or call free on 0800 182 2222.   

  • Carer Support Payment is a payment of £81.90 a week and is available to carers who are aged 16 or over and who provide unpaid care for 35 hours or more a week to someone who receives a qualifying disability benefit.  They need to earn £151 a week or less after tax, National Insurance and expenses.
    Carers in education who may be eligible includes:     
  • Part time students – those who spend less than 21 hours a week in class or doing coursework for any course    
  • Students aged 20 and over and who study full time for any course    
  • Students aged 16-19, who study full time in advanced education at university or for a college course such as a Higher National Certificate and Higher National Diploma   
  • There are also some circumstances where students aged 16-19 studying over 21 hours a week in non-advanced education, such as studying for National Certificates and Scottish Highers, who may also be eligible if they meet certain criteria. Find out more at   If you study – mygov.scot 
  • Carer’s Allowance Supplement is an extra payment for eligible unpaid carers who are getting Carer Support Payment or Carer’s Allowance on the qualifying date. The payment is made twice a year and is unique to Scotland. Each payment of Carer’s Allowance Supplement is currently £288.60.  It is paid automatically without the need to apply.   
  • Young Carer Grant is available for carers aged 16, 17 or 18 who provide support for an average of 16 hours a week to someone receiving a qualifying disability benefit. It is a yearly payment of £383.75 and the money can be spent on whatever the young person wants.   
  • Information on other support for carers, such as financial support, wellbeing support and short breaks from caring, can be found at Help if you’re a carer – mygov.scot  
  • National Student Money Week March 2025 National Student Money Week 2025 – NASMA 
  • Carers Trust Scotland estimates there are around 30,000 – 35,000 unpaid carers at college or university in Scotland. Carers at College & University | Carers Trust Scotland 
  • If you are an organisation that supports student carers in Scotland, there are shareable resources, many of which are available in different languages, via our resources pages on our website:  

Social Security Scotland – Carer Support Payment Resources  
Social Security Scotland – Young Carer Grant Resources  

Cruise Ship Levy consultation

Views sought on proposed new power for councils

Local authorities could be given the optional power to introduce a tax on cruise ships that visit their areas in future.

The Scottish Government is seeking views on the practicalities of such a levy, as well as the potential market implications and effect on local economies and communities.

Analysis shows there were around 1,000 cruise ship visits to Scottish ports in 2024, bringing 1.2 million passengers – an increase of almost 400,000 per year compared with 2019.   

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “The tourism sector is a crucially important part of the Scottish economy and cruise visits are increasing. The consultation will help to inform the Scottish Government’s decision over whether or not to bring forward legislation and it is really important that we hear from a wide variety of voices on this matter.

“Last year, we held events to hear the views of the cruise ship industry, local government, and others. We want to continue the helpful dialogue which started at those events, and explore further what a cruise ship levy could mean in a Scottish context.”

Consultation on a potential local authority Cruise Ship Levy in Scotland – gov.scot

The Scottish Government has no plans to introduce a nationwide cruise ship levy.

The areas that welcome the most cruise passengers are Invergordon, Orkney, Edinburgh, Lerwick, and Greenock, and the average ship in the five busiest ports carries over 1,000 passengers. 

SNP budget delivers record funding for City of Edinburgh Council

5.9% INVESTMENT INCREASE FOR LOCAL SERVICES

Gordon Macdonald MSP has highlighted the record funding going to City of Edinburgh Council after the Scottish Budget was passed at Holyrood this week, providing a £1 billion increase in funding to local authorities.

After the budget received cross-party support – despite Labour and Tory MSPs sitting on their hands – City of Edinburgh Council is set to receive an increase in funding worth £60 million.

This increases funding for local priorities, teachers, and additional support for learning and to tackle the climate emergency. It also facilitates pay increases agreed for teachers, social care workers, refuse collectors and more.

Gordon Macdonald MSP said: “This year’s Scottish Budget provides record funding for Edinburgh Council which will help deliver the services people rely on and ensure our communities get the investment they need.

“After over a decade of austerity and a Labour tax hike which is set to cost councils £100 million, our local authorities have been repeatedly betrayed by Westminster parties.

“Under the SNP, we are not only investing in our local councils, but we are mitigating the impact of Westminster decisions, to the tune of £144 million for the National Insurance hike alone.

“This SNP government is delivering for the city, and I am pleased parliament has backed this budget to ensure that continues.”

https://www.gov.scot/news/15-billion-for-councils

Over 326,000 children currently supported by Scottish Child Payment

£1 BILLION paid to help tackle child poverty

New figures, show that as of 31 December 2024, the families of 326,080 children under 16 years of age were receiving vital support from Scottish Child Payment.  

Over £1 billion has now been paid to parents and carers since the payment was introduced in February 2021.  

Scottish Child Payment is unique to Scotland and provides financial support for families, helping with the costs of caring for a child. It is a weekly payment, currently worth £26.70, for every eligible child that a parent or carer looks after who’s under 16 years of age.    

While visiting Craigour Park Primary school in Edinburgh, to talk to parents who receive Scottish Child Payment, Social Justice Secretary Shirley-Anne Somerville said:  “Eradicating child poverty is the Scottish Government’s top priority and a national mission.   

“Our investment in Scottish Child Payment has seen over £1 billion worth of these payments issued by 31 December 2024; that is money directly in the pockets of those families who need it most. 

“Modelling published in February 2024 also estimates that the Scottish Child Payment could keep 60,000 children out of relative poverty this year. 

“Scottish Child Payment is actively improving the lives of hundreds of thousands of children in Scotland – helping their families to access essentials and experiences they might otherwise miss out on because they live on a low income. 

“In the coming year it is forecast we’ll invest a further £471 million, ensuring that this support continues to reach even more families and children who need it.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1895156126464749904

Head Teacher of Craigour Park Primary, Sally Ketchin, said: “We welcome payments like Scottish Child Payment and Best Start Grants.

“We can see the real difference this money makes to families in our community.” 

CASE STUDY   

Ashley Forbes lives in Glenrothes with her three children.  She said:  “The two-child cap came in for Tax Credits when I was pregnant with my third child. That meant I would be losing £60 a week when the baby was born so, obviously, that was quite a scary moment. It was huge.   

“I wasn’t working and my partner at the time was only working part-time so money wasn’t great. It felt like £60 was so much to lose, you know, when you have a baby with milk and all that stuff to buy.      

“And then when Scottish Child Payment came in, it was a huge relief. I have three kids and they grow so fast. It’s new shoes, new coats and new clothes all the time.   

“My eldest two do swimming as well which is a really important skill that you need in life. We wouldn’t be able to do this stuff without Scottish Child Payment.     

“I think Scottish Child Payment is great. We couldn’t do without it.”   

Fundamental review needed of planning and resourcing of additional support for learning

The Scottish Government and councils must fundamentally rethink how they plan, fund and staff additional support for learning as part of core school education in Scotland.

Since legislation in 2004 to make additional support for learning (ASL) more inclusive, there has been an eight-fold increase in pupils recorded as receiving ASL; currently 40 per cent of Scottish pupils – or 285,000 children – receive ASL. Almost all support is now delivered in mainstream classrooms, and it has become an increasingly central part of what teachers do.

The Scottish Government failed to plan for the impacts of this inclusive approach, and poor data means it is not possible to determine the scale, complexity and nature of needs across Scotland. The Scottish Government and councils urgently need better information to understand pupils’ needs and appropriate level of resource to support them.

Existing measures show a wide gap in outcomes for pupils receiving additional support compared with other pupils, including being more likely to be absent or excluded from school. More appropriate ways of measuring the achievements of pupils who receive ASL are still to be developed.

Stephen Boyle, Auditor General for Scotland, said: “The Scottish Government has failed to plan effectively for its inclusive approach to additional support for learning. Current gaps in data mean it is unclear whether all children’s right to have an education that fully develops their personality, talents and abilities is being met.

“The Scottish Government and councils urgently need better quality data to understand pupils’ additional support needs and the resources required to provide support to enable all pupils to reach their full potential.”

https://twitter.com/i/status/1895030093891731696

Ruth MacLeod, Member of the Accounts Commission, said: “Councils and the Scottish Government must fundamentally rethink how additional support for learning is planned and provided as a core part of Scotland’s school education.

“This includes reviewing how mainstream and special education is provided to meet current and future additional support needs and demands.

“It is critical they work with pupils, parents and carers and staff throughout this process.”

COSLA’s Children and Young People Spokesperson, Councillor Tony Buchanan @antbuc1), has commented following report published today about Additional Support For Learning from the Auditor General and Accounts Commission.

The Auditor General and Accounts Commission published a briefing paper on additional support for learning (ASL) on 27th February 2025. It makes a series of recommendations to Scottish Government and Councils, touching on data, measuring the outcomes of children and young people with additional support needs, funding, workforce planning and school buildings.

The COSLA Children and Young People Board will discuss the briefing at their meeting on 7th March.

Councillor Tony Buchanan, said: “Local Government is fully committed to supporting all children and young people to learn and to providing opportunities so that they can realise their full potential. The briefing paper published by the Auditor General and Accounts Commission on additional support for learning is welcomed.

The COSLA Children and Young People Board will be updated next week, with an initial consideration of the recommendations. COSLA, alongside the Scottish Government, co-chair the Additional Support for Learning Project Board.

“There will be an opportunity for the project board to consider the recommendations fully when they meet next month and consider how these can inform their priorities.”

briefing_250227_additional_support_for_learningDownload

Garden Centre invites families along to a series of brand-new Easter events

Dobbies Garden Centres is welcoming families and four-legged friends to hop along and get set for spring at its brand-new Easter-themed events, taking place at its Edinburgh store.

Families can book a brand-new Easter Bunny Afternoon Tea, taking place on Monday 21 April.

Children can tuck into a selection of freshly made bunny shaped sandwiches, filled with jam, cheddar cheese, ham, and tuna mayonnaise. They can also enjoy Dobbies’ famous scones, served with Cornish clotted cream and a pot of jam, and a delicious selection of sweet treats, including a mini doughnut, gingerbread man and a waffle finger with dipping chocolate and sugar strands & chocolate chip toppings.

For £8.75, adults can select a hot drink of filter coffee or tea, plus a slice of triple chocolate cake, coffee and walnut cake or Persian lemon cake. And for £16, adults can enjoy Afternoon Tea – three tiers of delicious sweet and savoury treats.

After everyone has eaten, children will seek out the Easter Bunny, who will be hopping about the Edinburgh store, and get involved in spring inspired activities and games including the bunny hop relay. They’ll then enjoy a hands-on planting experience, learning how to grow their very own lettuce. During the event, children will also be given a mini Malteser chocolate bunny.

Also new for this year, Dobbies’ Edinburgh store is hosting its Hopping Hounds event.

Dogs will get the chance to sniff out an Easter egg trail around the store before receiving an Easter themed toy and money off vouchers for the garden centre and restaurant. There will also be photograph opportunities with the Easter Bunny to have a keepsake of the experience.

Customers will be able to add a donation while booking the event, helping with Dogs Trust’s mission of caring for, rehabilitating, and rehoming thousands of dogs every year. The event is priced at £12.50 per dog.

Well behaved dogs on a lead are warmly welcomed in the Edinburgh store and in a dedicated area of the restaurant if paw-rents are hoping to make a day of it. Explore the fantastic range of pet products at Dobbies, with everything from healthy treats and dog attire to terrific toys.

Customers can also take part in Dobbies’ monthly social media competition, Dogs at Dobbies, by posting a picture and using the hashtag #dogsatdobbies to be in a chance of winning a gift voucher.

Back by popular demand this year is also the Easter Bunny Breakfast, taking place on Friday 18, Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 April, is a great opportunity to gather the whole family for a fun-filled morning.

Families at the Edinburgh store can get stuck into an egg-cellent breakfast, with children and adults having the choice of a traditional cooked breakfast, a vegetarian breakfast or a breakfast roll. Children can also opt for a continental breakfast of croissant, jam, yoghurt and banana. Kids will have the choice of an apple juice, orange juice or water, and adults will be able to choose from a pot of tea or regular coffee.

After everyone has eaten, children will seek out the Easter Bunny, and take part in the same themed activities as for the Afternoon Tea.

Tickets are priced at £8.75 for adults and £11.99 for children.

Dobbies’ Events Programme Manager, Ayesha Nickson, is excited to welcome families along to the in-store activities this Easter. She said: “We’re looking forward to launching our new Afternoon Tea event in our Edinburgh store, bringing an alternative option to families, and a nice activity for grandparents to get involved in.

“Our Easter Bunny Breakfast is always popular with families across the country and is a great way to bring everyone together for a morning of seasonal fun, packed full of activities to keep the kids entertained.

“Dog events are becoming increasingly popular for dog owners to spoil their pooches, and we can’t wait to see welcome our four-legged friends for a fun event this Easter.”

For more information about the Easter events and participating stores, visit:

www.dobbies.com/events.

Scotland’s Budget Bill passed

Holyrood Parliament approves spending plans

The 2025-26 Scottish Budget has been approved by Parliament, including £21.7 billion for health & social care and more than £15 billion for local councils, alongside social security measures supporting an estimated two million people.

The Budget invests:

  • £21.7 billion in health and social care services, including almost £200 million to cut waiting times and help reduce delayed discharge
  • £6.9 billion in social security, expected to support around two million people in 2025‑26
  • £4.9 billion in climate-positive investment
  • more than £7 billion for infrastructure
  • more than £2 billion for colleges, universities and the wider skills system
  • an additional £25 million to support the Grangemouth Industrial Cluster, taking total investment to almost £90 million

Finance Secretary Shona Robison said: “I am pleased that Parliament has approved the Scottish Government’s Budget – confirming plans to invest in public services, lift children out of poverty, act in the face of the climate emergency and support jobs and economic growth.

“This is a Budget by Scotland for Scotland. It includes record NHS investment, social security spending to put money in the pockets of low income families and action to effectively scrap the two-child benefit cap next year. We are delivering a universal winter heating payment for the elderly, providing record funding for local government and increasing investment in affordable housing.

“This Budget has been developed through effective engagement and negotiation across Parliament to build broad support. It is through this compromise that we are delivering spending plans that will most effectively strengthen services and support Scotland’s communities.” 

Scottish Budget 2025 to 2026

Budget (Scotland) (No. 4) Bill

Securing Grangemouth’s future

First Minister writes to Scottish Labour Party Leader

Following news the UK Government will invest in Grangemouth’s future, First Minister John Swinney has written to Scottish Labour Party Leader Anas Sarwar inviting him to vote for the 2025-26 Scottish Budget in a “spirit of cooperation” and deliver investment worth almost £90 million to support jobs at the site.

The full text of the First Minister’s letter to Anas Sarwar: Scottish Budget Bill – Grangemouth Industrial Cluster: letter to Anas Sarwar – gov.scot:

To: Scottish Labour Party Leader Anas Sarwar

From: First Minister John Swinney

Dear Anas,

I welcome the response from the Prime Minister to my call last week for the UK Government to provide support for Grangemouth.

I know you share my concern that the decision to close the Grangemouth refinery is premature and fundamentally short sighted and the UK Government’s commitment to additional investment is a step in the right direction. We all have a responsibility to work collaboratively to secure Grangemouth’s long-term future, its workforce and Scotland’s transition to net zero.

My announcement last week that the Scottish Government will make a further £25 million available to enable businesses to bring forward investable propositions for Grangemouth, will be put to Parliament as an amendment at Stage 3 of the Budget Bill tomorrow.

This funding will be made immediately available from the beginning of the next financial year without requiring match-funding.

I hope that when the UK Government provide more details on the announced £200 million being available through the National Wealth Fund that this will also be available for timely deployment on a similar basis as the funding I have set out and that these funds align to best support a just transition for Grangemouth.

In that spirit of cooperation, I trust that you and Scottish Labour colleagues will now be in a position to vote for the Budget at Stage 3 tomorrow and work constructively to deliver the nearly £90 million investment for Grangemouth, supporting the jobs, livelihoods and businesses which depend on it.

Yours sincerely,

John Swinney

UK Government kickstarts work with Scottish Government to boost broadband in rural Scotland

Around 11,000 Scottish homes and businesses to gain access to lightning-fast broadband

  • First Project Gigabit contract signed to bring fastest broadband networks on the market to rural Scotland 
  • Around 11,000 homes and businesses in the Scottish Borders and East Lothian will be the first to benefit from the Scotland-wide rollout, with further contracts planned for other parts of Scotland this year
  • Supports UK Government plans to raise living standards and grow the economy across the country, including in isolated rural areas, as part of the Plan for Change

Around 11,000 Scottish homes and businesses will gain access to lightning-fast broadband, as joint efforts by the UK and Scottish governments to supercharge internet access in rural areas across the nation get underway and power the UK Government’s Plan for Change.  

Rural areas in the Scottish Borders and East Lothian will benefit from gigabit-capable internet upgrades, allowing residents to fulfil day-to-day tasks, from rapid access to health advice through remote hospital consultations to interviewing for jobs and working more flexibly.    

The upgrades will benefit some of the most remote areas of Scotland and the UK, including Athelstaneford and Innerwick in East Lothian and St Abbs, Broughton and Ettrickbridge in the Scottish Borders.  

These areas will be among the first in Scotland to benefit from a £26 million contract awarded under Project Gigabit – the UK Government-funded rollout to areas unlikely to receive upgrades through commercial plans due to their challenging location. The contract was awarded to independent Scottish provider GoFibre by the Scottish Government.  

UK Government Minister for Telecoms and Data Chris Bryant said: “As technological advancements race ahead and revolutionise our day-to-day lives, we cannot afford to leave anyone behind.

“It is fantastic to see this UK Government-funded gigabit investment being delivered in Scotland for the first time, not only bringing thousands of people the fastest broadband networks on the market and levelling the playing field but also helping us realise our mission to boost economic growth and improve living standards across the whole country, under the PM’s Plan for Change.”

Scottish Government Business Minister Richard Lochhead said: “Reliable internet connectivity is a vital part of everyday life – allowing people to work flexibly, engage in education and stay connected with loved ones.

“The Scottish Government has successfully implemented digital infrastructure programmes across Scotland to increase broadband speeds and help grow the economy.

“Expanding upon the achievements of the Digital Scotland Superfast Broadband and Reaching 100% programmes, we will deliver Project Gigabit in Scotland to provide resilient connections that meet the needs of people and businesses now and into the future.”

One of Scotland’s leading amateur rugby clubs, Melrose Rugby Club, based in the Scottish Borders, has previously been connected to full fibre network by provider GoFibre.  

Having reliable and fast connection meant the club could stream across the world their annual tournament, the Melrose Sevens.

The event, which is held every April in Melrose, is the oldest rugby sevens competition in the world and is watched by tens of thousands of fans across the globe, with teams coming from as far afield as Japan, Hong Kong, Uruguay and South Africa. 

Malcolm Changleng, Melrose Rugby Club Director, said: “Getting full fibre connection has been a game changer for our club.

“As well as the 10,000 fans attending the event on the day of the tournament, we got about 60,000 people watching games on YouTube and other online platforms, which is why it’s so important to have good WiFi.

“It’s not just rugby fans watching, but people that have left the Borders to go all over the world. Lots of families from the Borders connect back to the area through the Melrose Rugby Sevens, and we’re proud that we allow people to get a little taste of the Borders on an annual basis.”

This weekend, rugby fans in Melrose will be able to support their national team in the Six Nations, with the club streaming Scotland taking on England at Twickenham on Saturday.  

Local restaurant The Hoebridge is set to grow as a business thanks to the programme – contributing to plans to kickstart economic growth. Kyle Tidd, Co-Owner of The Hoebridge said: “This investment in faster broadband would improve our operations.

“It would enable us to streamline our ordering, payment and online booking systems, enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.”

Now the £26 million contract is signed, detailed planning and surveying work will begin immediately with the first connections expected in the Autumn.  

Further contracts to be signed this year will see faster broadband delivered to tens of thousands more premises across Scotland, including Aberdeenshire and the Morayshire Coast, Fife, Perth and Kinross, Orkney and Shetland.    

For households, gigabit-capable broadband delivers faster speeds and fewer dropouts, providing a gateway to remote working and online education. Unlike traditional copper-based networks, gigabit connections won’t slow down at peak times, meaning no more battling for bandwidth with neighbours.

Gigabit networks can easily handle over a hundred devices all at once with no buffering, meaning the whole family can seamlessly surf, stream and download at the same time.       

Project Gigabit will support the UK Government’s plans to kickstart economic growth, creating and supporting thousands of high-paid, high-skilled jobs, empowering industries of all kinds to innovate and increasing productivity by taking up digital technology.    

It will also ensure people can access vital services they need now and, in the future, from giving patients improved access to healthcare through virtual appointments and remote health monitoring to helping pensioners combat loneliness by catching up with loved ones over higher quality video calls. 

 Scotland Office Minister, Kirsty McNeill, said:  “This landmark contract marks a crucial step forward in our mission to end digital inequality across Scotland. By bringing the fastest possible broadband to our rural communities, we’re not just laying cables – we’re opening up new opportunities for local businesses, improving access to education and healthcare.

“The UK Government, through our Plan for Change, is working to ensure Scotland’s rural communities can benefit from the digital economy and economic growth is seen across the country.”

Neil Conaghan, CEO of GoFibre, said: “As a Scottish company, born in the Borders, GoFibre is proud to be named as the delivery partner for the first Project Gigabit contract in Scotland, bringing transformative full fibre connectivity to thousands more homes and businesses across the region.

“This contract award marks a step-change in our ambition and footprint as a major Scottish telecommunications company.

“We have a sterling track record of connecting communities across Scotland to our ultra-fast broadband network. Delivering this project will build on our successful delivery of Project Gigabit contracts in North Northumberland and Teesdale where we are delivering much-needed broadband in rural areas, ahead of schedule.

“We will bring all that expertise and GoFibre experience to this essential project for people in the Borders and East Lothian.”

Equality regulator informs Scottish Government and NHS Fife regarding staff access to single sex facilities

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has written to the Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care and NHS Fife, regarding access to single-sex changing facilities for NHS staff.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: “As Britain’s equality regulator, we promote and enforce compliance with the Equality Act 2010.

“Health bodies in Scotland, England and Wales must have an accurate understanding of the operation of the Equality Act as it relates to the provision of single-sex services and spaces.

“Today we reminded NHS Fife of their obligation to protect individuals from discrimination and harassment on the basis of protected characteristics, including sex, religion or belief and gender reassignment.

“Under the Public Sector Equality Duty, all Scottish health boards must assess how their policies and practices affect people with protected characteristics. We have requested that NHS Fife provide us with a copy of any equality impact assessment relating to the provision of changing facilities for staff; any information relevant to how such policies have been kept under review; and any details on steps taken to ensure that the rights of different groups are balanced in the application of these policies.

“We also highlighted that the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 state that changing facilities will not be suitable “unless they include separate facilities for, or separate use of facilities by, men and women where necessary for reasons of propriety”.

The Health and Safety Executive have an Approved Code of Practice and guidance that NHS Boards can refer to.

“This week media reported on NHS Scotland’s forthcoming Guide to Transitioning, which the Scottish Government confirmed has been shared with health boards in preparation for its implementation. It is important that this guide, and all guidance, policies and practices which rely on it, faithfully reflect and comply with the Equality Act 2010. 

“We have asked to meet with the Cabinet Secretary to discuss the Scottish Government’s role in ensuring that NHS Scotland and other bodies meet their legal obligations under the Equality Act.”