Question reference: S5W-08257
- Asked by: Mary Fee, MSP for West Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 5 April 2017
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Current status: Answered by David Stewart on 2 May 2017
Question
To ask the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body what (a) short- and (b) long-term projects it has introduced that aim to improve diversity in the Parliament's staffing; how much has been invested, and how the outcomes are or will be evaluated.
Answer
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) is committed to improving diversity in the Scottish Parliament and recently launched its Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (2017-21).
This being the first year of the Strategy, the aim is to create a framework to support projects going forward. A new Strategic Board for Diversity and Inclusion will be established to oversee activities and monitor progress against desired outcomes set out in the Delivery Plan. The Board will be made up of senior officials who will be joined by representatives from a number of planned networks. These networks will be run by staff and will bring together people with a shared interest that identify with a particular group. For example, a ‘Women’s Network’ has already been established and has held a number of meetings and events. The main purpose of the networks is to provide opportunities for peer support and personal development but they will play a crucial role in helping the Scottish Parliament to better engage with Scotland’s diverse communities.
The Board will also have responsibility for short term projects like the Scottish Parliament’s young people’s apprenticeship programme which is now in its third year, and ensuring that diversity is built into the SPCB’s recruitment procedures which are currently being reviewed.
No additional resources have been allocated to develop the Strategy and implementation is being managed within existing resources as part of the overall work of the Human Resources Office.