The Socio Economic Duty

Closed 12 Sep 2017

Opened 18 Jul 2017

Feedback updated 23 Nov 2017

We asked

From 18 July to 12 September 2017, the Scottish Government consulted on how the Socio Economic Duty should be implemented, including:

• How key terms should be defined

• Which public authorities the duty should apply to

• What public authorities could do to show they are meeting the duty and

• How public authorities could sensibly approach the links between different duties with a socio-economic focus

You said

A total of 123 responses were received: 18 from individuals and 105 from organisations.

We did

On 23 November 2017 we published a report providing a summary of the responses to the Consultation on the Socio-Economic Duty , and of what the Scottish Government plans to do as a result.

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/11/7596

An easy read version was also made available.

http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2017/11/1989

Results updated 23 Nov 2017

Analysis of the consultation responses received is available on the Scottish Goverment website using the link provided.

Links:

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

The socio-economic duty asks particular public authorities to do more to tackle the inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage. In particular, the duty aims to make sure that strategic decisions about the most important issues are carefully thought through so that they are as effective as they can be in tackling socio-economic disadvantage and reducing inequalities of outcome. These strategic decisions would include, for example, an economic development strategy; or an annual budget setting out key investment choices.

Please note that in order to meet legislative timescales and enable the socio-economic duty to be introduced by the end of 2017, a shorter eight week period has been set for this consultation process.

Download the full consultation paper

Why your views matter

In 2017, Scotland will become the first part of the UK to introduce the socio-economic duty. The Scottish Government wants to make sure that this duty is introduced so as to have maximum positive impacts. So it’s important to get implementation right and this consultation paper is a key way to make sure we do.

This consultation is therefore seeking views on that basis

What happens next

We will seek to publish analysis of responses within 4 weeks of consultation closing date., with a view to commencing the Duty by the end of 2017.

Interests

  • Building and Planning
  • Children and Families
  • Communities and Third Sector
  • Economy
  • Education
  • Equality, Welfare and Rights
  • Public Sector
  • Health and Social Care
  • Housing and Regeneration
  • Transport