Convener's Introduction
Convener's Introduction
The Scottish Government (SG) and public bodies in Scotland have committed to meeting their statutory duties under the Equality Act (2010) including through the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). MACS has worked tirelessly this year to hold organisations to account and ensure compliance with the PSED, which includes the need to:
a. Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Act;
b. Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it: and
c. Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.
I feel it is important to pull this message out at the start of this year's annual report, as we have found that organisations normally focus on Part A of the PSED around eliminating discrimination but don't put as much focus on Part B, which is to advance equality of opportunity between persons who share relevant protected characteristics and those who don't and Part C, which focuses on fostering good relations.
The PSED obliges public authorities, and those carrying out certain public functions, to have due regard, when exercising their functions. These 3 areas are known as the general duty.
In many policies and strategies there is recognition of a difference between the policy intent and the reality on the ground for people accessing and using services – a persistent, growing and recognised 'implementation gap'.
Unless the upstream conditions (early engagement in design and agreed success measures, what it will look like/feel like, how it will improve access/reduce inequalities) are meaningfully tackled, progress will be limited to trying to pick up the consequences of consequential inequality.
This 'implementation gap' can be seen to arise in multiple ways and at different points through the continuum of policymaking – between engagement, intent, design, delivery and ultimately – user experience.
Three broad themes normally emerge in relation to policy intent and implementation:
1. Policy design can in isolation be good yet fail to recognise the context in which it is then applied – either in relation to other existing policy strands, the wider deliverables or what is actually delivers for everyone, including those sharing protected characteristics as define in the Equality Act 2010.
This can result in a lack of confidence and trust between the organisations involved in delivery – across national government, local government, agencies, service providers and the voluntary sector.
2. This appears to be caused in particular by a lack of true empowerment and meaningful engagement with those the policy or strategy is aimed at.
We know this as we frequently see the need for greater evaluation of what has worked, what has not worked and why. We normally see this well into projects, as success measures have not been agreed before project start, as they should be.
3. This would suggest that policymaking is not being led enough by people's needs and by existing evidence, with insufficient effective use of data and evidence (including lived experience) in decision making and policy design. People perceive that there is a lack of an independent voice, scrutiny, and challenge, with a fear of failure throughout the system preventing inclusive and innovative approaches to delivery.
The broader economic and fiscal context does not excuse the persistent 'implementation gap' in Scotland – between policy intent, delivery and people's experiences.
MACS has focused a great deal of our work this year into raising awareness of the "implementation gap", also parts A, B and C of the PSED.
Only when this approach is mainstreamed and evident in all public bodies' "Equalities Outcomes Reports" can we hope to move forward in a fair and just way and deliver a transport system and network that is Available, Accessible and Affordable for all. This in turn will "close the mobility gap", while reducing inequalities.
Before moving into the body of this report I would like to thank my Team, a board of 15 individuals who work tirelessly for our cause and whose combined efforts are far greater than the sum of their parts. They know this and they get it!
Each of my 15 team members bring a vast amount of knowledge, experience and skills to their role and combined are a force to reckon with. A board of "human right defenders" who take every opportunity to speak up for the needs of disabled people so no one is left behind.
I would also like to thank the policy teams within Transport Scotland and the stakeholders we have engaged with this year, and there are many! Thank you for working so productively with us to deliver much needed change.
I would also like to thank Scottish Government Ministers for always having an 'open door' to MACS and for being so receptive to our asks aimed at improving transport and travel for disabled people and older people.
Our journey continues but we give you our commitment that our work will focus on the delivery of a transport system that is accessible, easy to use and affordable for all. We know that to deliver this we also need to keep our focus on the pedestrian infrastructure and inclusive environments, tackling the barriers within the first and last mile, which will also assist with reducing social isolation and loneliness. To approach this, we have strengthened our workstreams in these areas and our team stands ready to work for you and with you all to get the job done.
Yours Sincerely
Linda Bamford
National Convener
Mobility and Access Committee for Scotland (MACS)