Race Equality Review:
On 10 November 2005, the (then) Scottish Executive published an outline paper on the way forward following the wide ranging review of race equality. The primary purpose of the review was to determine the best approach required to deliver tangible improvements in the lives of Scotland's diverse communities whilst ensuring Government resources were maximised and directed to best effect.
During the review of race equality four policy areas were identified as requiring more dedicated work and action. The (then) Scottish Executive set up four strategic groups to look at these areas. The Groups met over 2006 and drafted recommendations for action which would assist race equality in the areas they examined. The reports drafted by the Groups are published below in their entirety, and as they were drafted at the time (they therefore refer to the Scottish Executive rather than the Scottish Government.) They have been published here to document the journey which was taken to reach the priorities which can be seen in our current policy document - the Race Equality Statement. For completeness, we have published a report which sets out progress around the key priority actions recommended by the Strategic Groups. Strategic Groups report on progress.
The recommendations in the four strategic group reports were consulted on over Summer 2006 until January 2007 with a view to producing a National Strategy and Action Plan. The Impending election meant that the Strategy was not published at that time. Instead, the new Scottish Government went on to develop the Race Equality Statement.
The Race Equality Statement
The changes which were made with the new administration, including the new relationship with local authorities, meant that a Strategy was no longer the most effective way to deliver on race equality. It was decided that a strategic Ministerial Statement, informed by the priorities identified by the Strategic Groups, was better suited to this new context.
The Statement was developed in consultation with key stakeholders and drew on the recommendations made by the four Strategic Groups. It also addresses issues which had emerged since the Groups met in 2006, such as an increase in Islamophobia and the arrival of new migrant communities. Three roundtable consultation events were held in June 2008 and drew together stakeholders who had contributed to the four Strategic Group reports. The purpose of these events was to ensure that the draft Statement was addressing the key and pressing issues around race equality in Scotland at this time.
The Race Equality Statement was then published on 8 December 2008, around the same time as the Government's Race Equality Scheme .