This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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New race relations measures
12/03/2002
New race equality responsibilities for key public sector bodies in Scotland which come into force tomorrow.
They are among a package of race relations measures highlighted today by Social Justice Minister Iain Gray.
From tomorrow, public bodies including the Scottish Executive, NHS Boards, local authorities, the police and educational establishments will have just over eight months to set out detailed and specific arrangements for promoting race equality under the Race Relations Amendment Act 2000.
Most bodies will have to produce a comprehensive Race Equality Strategy by November 30, 2002, and put in place arrangements for ensuring they have racially-sensitive employment policies and practices.
The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) will play a key role in helping public bodies promote race equality by advising them and identifying examples of good practice - and have the power to enforce action if a body fails to meet its specific duties.
Meanwhile, the Minister also announced today:
- An additional £223,000 for the Ethnic Minority Grant Scheme 2002-03. This brings the total for this fund to £500,000. The distribution of these additional funds will be announced at a later date. Today's announcement is linked to the publication of the Executive's response to the Review of Funding for Minority Ethnic Groups in the Voluntary Sector.
- £60,000 over two years to help develop high quality translating and interpreting services across Scotland.
Speaking during a visit to Leith Walk Nursery School in Edinburgh - part of Leith Walk Primary School where more than 50% of classes in the national test age groups come from backgrounds where English is not the language spoken at home - Mr Gray said:
"Racial discrimination is unacceptable in 21 st century Scotland and the public sector should take the lead in tackling it. Public bodies are already under a general obligation to promote race equality.
"Now, under the Executive's new legislation, they will also be legally responsible for ensuring that their detailed policies, services and employment practices address the needs of all of Scotland's communities, whatever their race, colour or origin.
"This is all part of our aim of putting people first and foremost and delivering the services that people want in the way that they want them.
"We need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and promote equality of opportunity and good relations between different racial groups. Closing the opportunity gap is at the heart of our agenda in Scotland."
Dharmendra Kanani, head of the CRE's Scottish office welcomed today's announcement. He said: "The Race Relations Act (as amended) was born out of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report, which spelt out the grave consequences of public bodies neglecting race equality and the needs of ethnic minority communities.
"The public sector's approach to racial equality has for too long been marked by inconsistency and inertia. Of course there have been examples of committed work. Some councils, health trusts, schools and police forces have been at the forefront of good practice, and have been imaginative in providing real opportunity to their employees and their communities. Others have done little. Others tried to tack racial equality on as an 'added extra' to their policies and gave neither the time nor the priority needed to bring about real change. Little more than a paper exercise, this approach failed to monitor the impact of policies on the people who matter.
"This far reaching Act will steer an exciting course for public services, both in the way we public bodies employ our staff, and in the way we reach out to members of the public - whether they are pupils, patients, council tenants, children in care or other local people.
"This legislation sets a new agenda in which public sector organisations must place race equality at the heart of our functions, culture and aims.
"While the CRE is pleased to see the legislation in place, we recognise that positive change will only come about if organisations across Scotland are committed to the spirit of the Act and deliver what is expected of them - a better deal for ethnic minority communities, and better and more tailored services for everyone!"
Translating
One of the key new duties under the RRAA is to improve access to information and services for people from minority ethnic communities and people with disabilities.
Guidelines published today by the Scottish Forum on Translating, Interpreting and Communication set out some core standards to help public authorities improve their translating and interpreting services - the £60,000 announced by the Minister today will allow the Forum to employ a development worker to take that work forward
Shamime Mansoori from Falkirk Council, the Forum's Chair, said:
"Public authorities across Scotland are committed to improving access to the information and services they provide and we wanted to help them with this. The Guidelines we are publishing today emphasise the need to develop good practice when providing translation and interpreting services that are sensitive to the very wide range of language and communication needs of all the people of Scotland from different backgrounds."
Race Equality Advisory Forum
Mr Gray also published today a response from the Executive to the Race Equality Advisory Forum (REAF) report published in November 2001.
REAF's report highlighted the issues of concern to Scotland's minority ethnic communities and suggested eight action plans relating to sector-specific issues.
Mr Gray said :
"The Executive's response to REAF sets out our commitments and race equality initiatives in a range of areas that will improve services to the public, including key policy areas such as health, education and housing.
"It also accepts key recommendations on issues such as the collection of statistical data, research and employment.
"REAF set out a strategy to help take us from where are now to where we want to be. It is a challenging agenda but one that I am determined the Executive should follow.
"We are committed to recognising and celebrating the ethnic and cultural diversity which goes to make up Scotland and we will work tirelessly to root out racism in all its forms from public life in Scotland."
The Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 came into force on 2 April 2001. Its main provisions:-
- outlaw race discrimination in all public functions, with certain very limited exceptions.
- place a general duty on specified authorities to promote race equality.
- give powers to Government to impose specific duties on public bodies to promote race equality and to the Commission for Racial Equality to enforce those specific duties.
The Scottish Translation, Interpreting and Communications Forum is a group of public sector bodies promoting best practice in the provision of translating and interpreting services as a core part of the equality agenda.
The Race Equality Advisory Forum (REAF) was established to advise the Executive on the preparation of a race equality strategy, develop detailed plans to tackle institutional racism and advise on consultation with and for minority ethnic communities.
The Ethnic Minority Grant Scheme (EMGS) gives Scottish Executive grants to voluntary organisations in Scotland for projects designed to reduce discrimination and promote racial equality. Its aim is to provide initial funding to foster new projects, which help support ethnic minorities in Scotland by identifying and meeting specific needs and improving access ethnic minorities have to mainstream services. EMGS is administered on behalf of the Scottish Executive by the Unemployed Voluntary Action Fund.
The Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations Race Equality Development Unit (REDU) was established in 1991 with a remit to promote race equality in the Scottish Voluntary Sector. REDU has been funded by the Scottish Office/Executive since 1996. Funding from the Executive is increasing from £39,250 to £48,000 per annum.
Details of the first tranche of the Ethnic Minority grants scheme for 2002-03 which was announced on 27 December 2001 are available on www.scotland.gov.uk/pages/news/2001/12/SE5101.aspx.