Scotland has a proud history of land reform going back to the early days of devolution. We are committed to bringing forward a new Land Reform Bill in this parliamentary session. Over the summer, we are undertaking a wide-ranging consultation on our proposals for the measures it should...More
We are consulting on a draft plan to improve and strengthen Scotland's equality evidence base. The responses we receive through this consultation will help to shape this plan, which will form the basis of Scotland's new Equality Evidence Strategy.
The development of Scotland's next Equality...More
In 2021-22 Programme for Government (link will open in new window) , the Scottish Government committed to bring forward legislation during this Parliament to restrict ‘ unhealthier food and drink promotions’.
The primary aim of the policy is to reduce the public...More
We want to hear your views on what a new Mental Health and Wellbeing Strategy for Scotland should look like. We have asked a series of questions, and your answers to these will help us write the final Strategy.
The Strategy will guide the work that the Government, and our partners,...More
This consultation is seeking your views on proposals to extend the reporting requirements to Scottish public bodies for the publication of modern slavery statements as part of work to improve Transparency in Supply Chains. It also seeks your views on the mechanisms for this reporting and...More
The Scottish Government is transitioning to a net zero emissions Scotland for the benefit of our environment, our people, and our prosperity, with Scotland’s ambitious climate change legislation setting a target date for net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.
This means that...More
The Scottish Government is transitioning to a net zero emissions Scotland for the benefit of our environment, our people, and our prosperity, with Scotland’s ambitious climate change legislation setting a target date for net zero emissions of all greenhouse gases by 2045.
This means that...More
In response to concerns raised about the use of restraint and seclusion in schools in the Children and Young People Commissioner’s 2018 report, No Safe Place , and the subsequent ENABLE Scotland In Safe Hands report, the Scottish Government established the Physical...More
The Scottish Government are seeking views for their Biodiversity Strategy, which is due for publication in 2022.
The Strategy is the starting point in a process which will lead into the development of rolling delivery plans and, through the introduction of a Natural Environment Bill,...More
This consultation outlines some of the proposals for change to the law put forward by the Executive Team of the Scottish Mental Health and Incapacity Law Review. They have been developed in partnership with people with lived experience, including unpaid carers, and mental health practitioners...More
The independent Strategic Review of Funding and Commissioning of Violence Against Women and Girls Services, chaired by Lesley Irving, has been established by the Scottish Government to develop a new funding model that will ensure high quality, accessible specialist services across Scotland...More
This consultation seeks views on the Scottish Government’s proposals for legislation to develop Scotland’s circular economy.
A circular economy is one in which resources are kept in use for as long as possible. It can benefit the environment, by cutting waste and carbon emissions;...More
Through this consultation we set out our proposals for a Route Map to 2025, our strategic plan to deliver Scotland’s zero waste and circular economy ambitions. It is the start of a national conversation on how we deliver our vision for the circular economy.
We are seeking your...More
Environmental Standard Scotland (ESS) is a new independent public body, established by the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021. ESS has been created to monitor the effectiveness of environmental law in Scotland and public authorities’ compliance with it, and...More
This consultation looks at the publication of Dame Elish Angiolini’s independent review on Complaints Handling, Investigations and Misconduct Issues in Relation to Policing which recommended improvements to policing systems and structures.
The Angiolini report mentions principles of...More
Introduction
The Scottish Government has committed to introduce statutory guidance in Scotland which aims to address equalities issues around uniform policy and reduce the cost of school uniform, as this can be a significant barrier to participation in learning. This consultation seeks...More
Why are we developing a Data Strategy?
As set out in the Strategy for Care in the Digital Age , we believe that data should be harnessed to the benefit of the people of Scotland. This includes the delivery of better services, greater innovation, and ensuring the people of...More
It is almost 20 years since Scotland’s first National Parks in Loch Lomond and Trossachs and Cairngorms were established. Both National Parks are home to some of Scotland’s most outstanding scenery, are internationally important areas for nature and receive millions of visitors each year. ...More
The Scottish Government’s new Vision for Justice in Scotland , published in February 2022, sets out our clear and compelling vision for a just, safe and resilient Scotland.
We are committed to a transformational approach to justice reform to ensure the system meets the needs and...More
The Scottish Government is carrying out a review of permitted development rights (PDR) as part of our wider planning reform programme. The PDR review is being taken forward in phases, with each phase focussing on specific development types. Through Phase 2 of the PDR review programme, we are...More
In 2021, both the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD) and Audit Scotland published reports (links to both are in the related section further down this page) which made recommendations relating to data collection and the need to ensure it reflects the ambitions...More
The Scottish Government seek to gather views on specific proposals relating to bovine tuberculosis, including diagnostic testing, cattle movements, isolation requirements and unclean cattle.
Read the consultation paper
Background
Bovine tuberculosis (TB) is a notifiable...More
This consultation invites your comments on key aspects of the revised National Strategy for Community Justice. Once published, this will supersede the current National Strategy for Community Justice , published in 2016.
Please read the accompanying consultation document 'National...More
The current National Cancer Plan ‘Recovery and redesign: an action plan for cancer services’ comes to completion in March 2023. This superseded the previous cancer strategy ‘Beating Cancer Ambition and Action’, and was developed in response to immediate challenges presented by the...More
Mandating calorie labelling at the point of choice can support our Out of Home (OOH) sector to make a key contribution in improving our dietary health.
This consultation fulfils a pledge made in our 2021 Out of Home Action Plan . The Plan builds on the commitments made in the 2018 Diet and...More
Material consumption and waste are the primary drivers of nearly every environmental problem we currently face, from water scarcity to habitat and species loss. Around 75% of Scotland’s carbon footprint is caused by the production, consumption, and all too often waste, of goods, and...More
The purpose of this consultation is to seek views on the proposed further education teaching programme to be delivered by the University of Strathclyde. The Scottish Ministers are proposing to make a determination under article 30 of the 2011 Order to specify that the University of...More
Scotland’s ambition is to be the best place in the world to grow up. To achieve this Scotland is adopting a progressive, and continually improving, approach to supporting our children and young people to achieve the best outcomes possible.
This consultation covers potential...More
This consultation document sets out proposals for changes to fees to be charged for applications submitted under sections 36, 36C and 37 of the Electricity Act 1989 ("the Electricity Act").
Read the consultation paper .
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Social Security Scotland is a public body which has daily interaction with the public and, where appropriate, their representatives. The Scottish Government is very much aware that Social Security Scotland supports some of the most vulnerable people in society. To adequately support these...More