MSPs seek views on post-COVID human rights support

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic on future public spending decisions to protect equalities and human rights in Scotland is under scrutiny by a Holyrood committee.

A call for views has been issued by the Equalities & Human Rights Committee on the financial implications arising from COVID-19, including the impact on funding of third sector organisations which support people to be treated equally and to access their rights.

MSPs will focus on how inequalities highlighted by the public health emergency and the response to the crisis can be addressed in Scotland’s economic recovery.

They want to know how confident are the third sector and other stakeholders that money is being committed only after due consideration is given to equality impacts.

The committee also seeks views on what more can be done to ensure equalities and human rights are central to Scottish Government budget decisions.

Committee convener Ruth Maguire MSP commented: "As this committee’s ongoing inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on equalities and human rights has shown, it is some of society’s most vulnerable groups who have experienced disproportionately negative effects as a result of the virus and as a consequence of the lockdown measures imposed.

"COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequalities in Scotland, but it has also shown that positive outcomes can be achieved with targeted funding to support individuals and particular groups.

"Now that we are moving out of the crisis and restarting the economy, we want to hear how the pandemic has affected funding to support people to access their rights and ensure they are treated equally.

"We also want to explore how the Scottish Government considers equalities and human rights when it makes budget decisions. We want to know what actions should be taken and what data collected to make this happen more effectively, to address the unequal impact of COVID-19 on specific groups and tackle longstanding health and social inequalities in Scotland."

Click here to access the call for views. Responses are due by Friday 18 September 2020.

• Separately, the Rural Economy & Connectivity Committee is asking how future funding from the Scottish Government’s budget should be used to support long term recovery in the rural economy and across Scotland’s transport and digital networks. Responses to its call for evidence (also due by 18 September) will help to inform the committee’s work to scrutinise public spending in these areas and to influence the Scottish Government’s draft budget when it is published later in the year.