Scottish Government publishes Public Sector Equality Duty Regulation 12 report
- Area of Work: The ALLIANCE
- Type: News Item
- Published: 16th December 2025
New four-year plan aims to strengthen equality and accountability across the public sector
The Scottish Government has published a new report setting out its plans to improve how public bodies meet their Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) over the next four years, from 2025 to 2029.
The Public Sector Equality Duty is a legal requirement. It means public bodies must think about equality when making decisions and delivering services. This includes taking action to:
- Prevent discrimination and unfair treatment
- Improve equality of opportunity
- Encourage good relations between different groups of people
The new repots sets outs proposals to help public bodies across Scotland do this better. Key plans include
- Pay gap action plans which would require public bodies to set out how they will reduce pay gaps
- Better involvement of stakeholders, so people and organisations can have more say in how equality duties are put into practice
- More focus on fostering good relations including improving understanding of what this means and building better evidence base of what works
- Stronger leadership and skills with visible leadership from Ministers and more opportunities for learning across the public sector
- Clearer accountability including reviewing how senior leaders are held responsible for meeting equality duties
These proposals reflect many of the concern the ALLIANCE has raised in recent years. In our evidence to Scottish Parliament, we outlined that while PSED is well-intended, it is not yet leading to real improvement for people with protected characteristic. Too often, there is a gap between what the law requires and what happens in practice.
We have also highlighted the need for clearer accountability, better support for public bodies, and a culture of change so equality is treated as a priority at every level, including senior leadership. These issues are recognised in Scottish Government’s focus on leadership, engagement and accountability.
In our 2022 response to a Scottish Government consultation on the PSED, the ALLIANCE also called for a stronger link between equality and human rights. We believe this is essential if public services are to be inclusive and responsive to the needs of people who rely on them.
You can access our 2022 consultation response and our 2025 response to call for views in the resources section below.
End of page.
You may also like:
The iMPROVE COP Core Group is seeking two patient representatives from Scotland
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE supports roundtable with the Minister for Public Health.
Continue readingChildren's Health Scotland wants to understand what health and health rights look like for children, young people and families in 2026
Continue readingRespond to Children's Health Scotland's largest National Health Rights Survey before 8 June.
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE hosted a workshop at the SCVO Gathering to explore how we can better navigate difficult decisions.
Continue readingRead about SIAA's manifesto calling on all parties to invest in independent advocacy so that everyone in Scotland can have their voice heard
Continue readingThe refreshed guidance continues to put people at the heart of decision‑making.
Continue readingThe latest set of themes focus on putting straightforward principles into practice
Continue readingThe Scottish Diabetic eye screening programme checks for diabetic retinopathy - when diabetes causes Visual Impairment
Continue readingTwo key Peppa Pig episodes to air on TV in March 2026
Continue readingLet the British Society of Audiology know about your activities for marking the largest global awareness campaign on hearing loss
Continue readingRead manifestos from organisations representing Deafness, Deafblindness and Vision Impairment in Scotland
Continue readingLearn more about the UK’s biggest collection of eye health and sight loss data
Continue readingExplore this new resource and learn about cochlear implants
Continue readingNational Usher Syndrome Helpline launched to provide one-stop support
Continue readingChallenges won't be overcome without cross-sector collaboration that keeps people at the centre.
Continue readingA new support network is here to help people with FND connect and share experiences.
Continue readingShowcasing organisations across Scotland who are taking steps to embed a children’s human rights approach in their work.
Continue reading#TryAToolTuesday raises awareness of free and trusted apps and resources that help people improve and manage their health and wellbeing.
Continue readingTickets available now for workshops from HSTAR Scotland taking place in February and March.
Continue readingMarie Curie has published new analysis showing that almost one in three people in Scotland die without the palliative care they need.
Continue readingNew guides created for trans and non-binary young people
Continue readingThe ALLIANCE manifesto for the 2026 Scottish Parliament Election sets out a positive vision for the next five years.
Continue readingDelivered in partnership with Lingo Flamingo and the Open University.
Continue readingNational Usher Syndrome Helpline launched to provide support for people with Usher syndrome (most common genetic cause of deafblindness)
Continue reading