Committee
Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee 03 February 2026 [Draft]
03 Feb 2026 · S6 · Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee
Item of business
Budget Scrutiny 2026-27
As I said in my opening remarks, the new approach to impact assessments has enabled equalities and human rights evidence to shape decisions earlier and more effectively than before. Rather than directing the analytical effort towards producing a document—which was perceived as somewhat lengthy—at the end of the cycle, the new approach focuses resources on generating insight at the moments when choices can genuinely be influenced and decisions are made. That shift has allowed us to make better-informed decisions for all three fiscal events.The evidence gathered, including lessons from the pilot activities, was actively used at every stage of the budget process. That included, for example, integrating impact analysis directly into ministerial advice at key decision points, so that ministers would have it in front of them. It also provided a structured briefing for the ministerial workshop in November, which had a particular focus on eradicating child poverty and sustaining high-quality public services. We also ensured that the emerging assessment was shared at critical junctures in the process, including Cabinet discussions, which were really important for sign off. That meant that ministers were able to consider distributional, equalities and rights-based impacts alongside the fiscal, economic and delivery factors when making decisions. We were able to see all that in the round.The assessments have helped make the budget process more evidence driven, more coherent and better aligned. The approach has been positive.
In the same item of business
The Convener (Karen Adam)
SNP
Good morning, and welcome to the third meeting in 2026 of the Equalities, Human Rights and Civil Justice Committee. We have no apologies this morning, but Rh...
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Local Government (Shona Robison)
SNP
Good morning. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to speak to you today.The budget and the spending review reflect our priorities and values as a Governm...
The Minister for Equalities (Kaukab Stewart)
SNP
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to return to the committee. I value the committee’s continued engagement and its scrutiny, which matters because embe...
The Convener
SNP
Thank you for those opening statements. We now move to questions. I remind members to be cognisant of the time. In particular, we do not want to curb the tak...
Kaukab Stewart
SNP
As I outlined in my opening remarks, the changes that we have made demonstrate more transparency—that has been recognised. We are spending £72 million to pro...
Maggie Chapman (North East Scotland) (Green)
Green
Good morning, and thank you for joining us. To follow up on the convener’s question, I am interested in understanding the analysis that you have done on the ...
Rob Priestley (Scottish Government)
The restructuring that the minister referred to is an internal civil service process of realigning reporting lines and the reporting teams that are in place,...
Maggie Chapman
Green
Is it fair to say that we might not see any tangible benefits for communities, and that the restructuring was about management, oversight, integration and cr...
Kaukab Stewart
SNP
I assure you that we keep in mind the aim of securing benefits for communities in everything that we do. Sometimes, that means that we have to decide to real...
Maggie Chapman
Green
I will move on to ask about some particular funds and budget lines. For a long time, the equality and human rights fund has provided important support across...
Kaukab Stewart
SNP
I recognise that. I think that we all recognise that we are operating in very difficult financial circumstances. I am sure that the cabinet secretary can dev...
Shona Robison
SNP
In addition to what the minister has said, the committee will be aware that we have attempted to provide certainty to third sector organisations through the ...
Maggie Chapman
Green
I appreciate that, but that is precisely the point. The letter that I know you have had and the correspondence that the committee has received are quite clea...
Shona Robison
SNP
I am not unsympathetic to the point that you are making. We have discussions with just about every sector, and my Cabinet colleagues have the same discussion...
Maggie Chapman
Green
I would ask you to take away a slightly expanded commitment to look seriously at the issue. You have talked about the values and priorities of the Scottish G...
Shona Robison
SNP
I assure you that discussions are on-going and imminent around the level of detail that is to be provided. I recognise that people want to know what it means...
Maggie Chapman
Green
That would be helpful.
Tess White (North East Scotland) (Con)
Con
Good morning. I will start with the cabinet secretary, then go to the minister and then go back to the cabinet secretary.Cabinet secretary, what impact has t...
Shona Robison
SNP
As I said in my opening remarks, the new approach to impact assessments has enabled equalities and human rights evidence to shape decisions earlier and more ...
Tess White
Con
Thank you. I hear you about the importance of transparency, accountability and spend. This is the first document that has brought those things together in on...
Shona Robison
SNP
Simon Fuller, do you want to come in on that?10:30
Simon Fuller (Scottish Government)
I think that you are referring to the budget tagging Excel files that were published—yes, I see that you have them there. Those files evaluate the impact of ...
Tess White
Con
That is true. However, let us look at the outcomes in relation to violence against women and girls. This committee has had debates on that in the Parliament ...
Shona Robison
SNP
The description of “exceptional” does not mean that we are saying that all the delivery and the outcomes are exceptional but that the budget line is exceptio...
Tess White
Con
I hear you, cabinet secretary. Thank you for that clarification, because when organisations look at this, they just go, “Oh my goodness, the Scottish Governm...
Shona Robison
SNP
If I remember rightly, you asked exactly the same question last year, and I think that the minister and I will give the same answer. Organisations—whether it...
Kaukab Stewart
SNP
Absolutely. To reiterate, generally, the funding helps to ensure that all vulnerable groups continue to receive support and that they get information and adv...
Tess White
Con
I hear you. Are you doing your own safeguarding and due diligence checks on organisations to which you give funding?
Kaukab Stewart
SNP
I always get confused about this: is it “Aspiring”?
Rob Priestley
It is “Inspiring”.