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SHRC warns everyday human rights are out of reach for many in Scotland 

  • Area of Work: Policy and Research
  • Type: News Item
  • Published: 17th December 2025

Commission raises concerns over the state of economic, social and cultural rights in Scotland

The Scottish Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has published its second annual State of the Nation report, warning that essential human rights remain out of reach for many people across Scotland.  

State of the Nation 2025 provides a comprehensive assessment of how human rights are being realised in Scotland today, with a particular focus on economic, social and cultural rights. These include the rights to adequate housing, health, social security, food and fair working conditions. 

The report pints a stark picture. It finds that across Scotland, many people are struggling to afford food, fuel and housing, or to access essential service when they need them. As a result, rights that should be guaranteed are increasingly difficult to realise in practice. 

Among the ten areas highlighted by SHRC as falling short are: 

  • Health care – which is not always available when and where people need it 
  • Disability related social security, which does not provide a decent standard of living and is at risk of retrogression 
  • Caregiving responsibilities for children, disabled people and older people, which are not fairly distributed or adequately recognised 

The report is published alongside increased international scrutiny of how these rights are being upheld. Earlier this year, a UN Committee reviewed the UK and Scotland’s progress on economic, social and cultural rights, publishing recommendations that included the need to tackle inequality, increase investment in social security and health, strengthen mental health support and ensure disability benefits adequately cover additional costs. The Scottish Government has since published an action plan outlining existing and planned actions, including work on social security reform, non-discrimination and the development of a Human Rights Bill. 

The themes of the SHRC report are reflected in a recent opinion piece by Lucy Mulvagh, Director of Policy, Research and Impact at the ALLIANCE, written to mark International Human Rights Day. Lucy highlights the importance of everyday rights – such as access to care, a decent income and a safe, warm home – particularly for disabled people, people with long-term condition and unpaid carers. You can read the full opinion piece at those with the power have to get rights right in 2026.  

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