SPCB publishes survey findings from review of Holyrood’s facilities

24 June 2026

The Scottish Parliament has published the findings from a survey of all building users on Holyrood’s changing rooms and toilet facilities.

In March 2026, everyone who works at Holyrood was invited to have their say on whether the Parliament’s facilities meet their needs, including for accessibility, privacy and dignity.

The survey followed a commitment from the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) to consult all building users on its ‘interim’ response to the Supreme Court’s judgment on the Equality Act.

The SPCB’s interim response - announced one month after the Supreme Court’s judgment in April 2025 - set out early “practical changes of minimal cost” to Holyrood’s facilities for visitors and workers.

The findings from the survey have been shared today with everyone who works at Holyrood.

Writing to all MSPs, staff and contractors, Lorna Hunter, Director of People, Communications and Inclusion, said the survey will help to ensure the voices of those who work in and visit Holyrood are reflected in the future design and delivery of facilities, policies and services.

The full text of Lorna Hunter’s email is published below.

Subject: Inclusive Parliament: facilities review survey feedback

Dear colleagues

Thank you to everyone who took part in the recent Facilities Review survey. Developed by Paragon Workplace Solutions, in line with previous workplace experience surveys, the survey aimed to gather views and experiences of facilities at Holyrood. We are grateful to everyone who took the time to share their feedback.

You can read the summary report (link below) on the review of facilities at Holyrood, together with Paragon’s survey report, on the intranet. Through the Inclusive Parliament programme, the survey feedback sits alongside other work, including an accessibility audit, operational insight from Facilities Management and input from external experts. Together, this gives us a well-rounded picture of day-to-day experiences across the estate.

Overall, many respondents reported a positive experience of facilities, although this experience is not consistent for everyone. Differences in confidence, comfort and dignity are evident, particularly in relation to accessibility, privacy, and choice.

The key findings of the review are:

Accessibility and usability: while facilities are available, access in practice is influenced by suitability, layout, and user confidence
Privacy and dignity: single-occupancy facilities play an important role and the Parliament is likely to benefit from increasing its single-occupancy provision to further support privacy and dignity
Wayfinding and information: inconsistent signage and information can make it more difficult for users to identify appropriate facilities with confidence
Maintenance and condition: overall cleanliness is positive, but maintenance is less consistent, particularly in showers and changing areas
Choice and consistency: the availability of different facility types does not always translate into the perception of meaningful choice for users.

The findings suggest that compliance alone does not determine the quality of the user experience. Design, clarity, consistency and user confidence are all critical factors in shaping how people experience the facilities at Holyrood.

This highlights the need for a more consistent and inclusive approach to facilities provision. This includes ensuring that provision is coherent, intuitive and supports confidence for all users. The review also confirms that the SPCB’s interim approach, providing a mix of single-sex, gender-neutral and accessible facilities, remains an important part of meeting a range of needs.

We will build on these findings to develop and assess options for improvement. Any proposals will be proportionate, evidence-based and deliverable within the constraints of the estate. They will also be informed by inclusive and accessible design principles, so that options are both practical and technically robust.

In taking this work forward, the Director of Operations and Digital will continue to ensure compliance with relevant health and safety, building and equality requirements, taking account of Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) guidance. Thank you again for your contribution - it plays an important part in ensuring an inclusive and welcoming Parliament for everyone.

Kind regards

Lorna

Lorna Hunter
Director of People, Communications and Inclusion