How to achieve a fairer society? Ministers call for ideas
How can Scotland become a fairer and more equal place to live? The Scottish Government is calling for ideas in a "national discussion" or "conversation" launched today.
People from all parts of society are being invited to set out their vision and suggest practical solutions, based on local and personal experience, to help tackle intergenerational poverty and create fairer opportunities for all. Ministers intend that conversations will take place across the country and online, including a series of events over the summer and autumn.
It is being emphasised that the conversation, which will take place until the autumn, comes ahead of any policies being formulated, and is not a consultation exercise on an already drafted set of proposals.
In particular ministers want to engage those with direct experience of poverty and exclusion, along with voluntary organisations, charities, councils and others in the public sector, large and small businesses, and trade unions.
An action plan will be published in the new year with milestones to the next Parliament and beyond to help achieve the goals identified.
Launching the national discussion, Social Justice Secretary Alex Neil said: “Tackling inequality, along with building a prosperous and competitive economy, is at the heart of the Scottish Government’s commitment to creating a better country for all. The two go hand in hand.
“The Scottish Government’s vision is for a Scotland where people are healthier, happier and treated with respect, and where opportunities, wealth and power are spread more equally. We want to discuss issues like childcare, fair work and health and hear what people believe could be done to create a better Scotland.
“It is important that we are an open and accessible government. We want to tap into conversations many people and communities are already having throughout Scotland, rather than consult on whether or not people agree with a range of ready-made proposals."
He added: “We recognise that it will take time to achieve our shared vision of a fair, equal and socially just Scotland. We are not looking for quick fixes or temporary measures but longlasting change that can benefit the whole nation.”
A document, Creating a Fairer Scotland: What Matters to You? has been published to support the exercise. It sets out a series of visions for the Scotland that ministers would like to see by 2030, and asks what matters most to people and what they think needs to be done to create a fairer Scotland.
Peter Kelly, director of The Poverty Alliance, commented: “Today's launch holds out the potential for a new approach to the problems of social injustice in Scotland. For once, we are not being asked to comment on plans that have already been made, or to pass judgment on some blueprint after it has been developed. By entering into genuine dialogue with people across Scotland we can begin to develop lasting solutions together.”
To join the conversation, people can send an email to fairer@scotland.gsi.gov.uk or post their views to FREEPOST FAIRER SCOTLAND. Public discussion events will also take place in communities across the country over the next few months.
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