Ruth Maguire MSP, committee convener

The Scottish Parliament’s Equalities and Human Rights (EHRi) Committee has issued a call for views on the financial implications arising from COVID-19, including the impact on funding of third sector organisations which support people to be treated equally and to access their rights.

MSPs will focus on how inequalities highlighted by the public health emergency and the response to the crisis can be addressed in Scotland’s economic recovery. 

The Committee also seeks views on what more can be done to ensure equalities and human rights are central to Scottish Government budget decisions.

Ruth Maguire MSP, committee convener, said: “As this committee’s ongoing inquiry into the impact of COVID-19 on equalities and human rights has shown, it is some of society’s most vulnerable groups who have experienced disproportionately negative effects as a result of the virus and as a consequence of the lockdown measures imposed.

“COVID-19 has exacerbated existing inequalities in Scotland, but it has also shown that positive outcomes can be achieved with targeted funding to support individuals and particular groups.

“Now that we are moving out of the crisis and restarting the economy, we want to hear how the pandemic has affected funding to support people to access their rights and ensure they are treated equally.”

She added: “We also want to explore how the Scottish Government considers equalities and human rights when it makes budget decisions. We want to know what actions should be taken and what data collected to make this happen more effectively, to address the unequal impact of Covid-19 on specific groups and tackle long-standing health and social inequalities in Scotland.”

The closing date for responses to the call for views is Friday 18 September 2020.