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A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare In order to ensure that the funded early learning and childcare entitlement is delivered in high quality settings, the Scottish Government (SG) will introduce a new, and more progressive, service model in 2020.

A Blueprint for 2020: The Expansion of Early Learning and Childcare in Scotland The Scottish Government’s aim is to make Scotland the best place in the world to grow up, and to give all of our children the best possible start in life.

A Criminal Offence of Domestic Abuse, April 2016 "The Scottish Government have been engaging with stakeholders to develop a specific offence of domestic abuse which is intended to improve how Scotland’s justice system responds to this kind of offending.

A Rural Conversation: “Together We Can, Together We Will” The National Council of Rural Advisers are consulting in order to explore the opportunities Scotland’s rural economy presents and the potential recommendations for the Scottish Government stemming from these.

Advertising Standards Agency call for Evidence on Gender Stereotyping in Advertising June 2016

Best Start Grant Regulations Following the passage of the Scotland Act 2016 and the subsequent devolution of new social security powers to Scotland, the Scottish Government has released a number of calls for views regarding the regulations regarding the new Social Security (Scotland) Bill.

Budget 2017 The Scottish Women’s Convention (SWC) has consulted with women throughout Scotland using a variety of communication channels including roadshows and thematic events, surveys, localised round table discussions and conferences.

CAP and BCAP Regulatory Statement on the Sexual Portrayal of Under-18s in Advertising This consultation outlines proposals to introduce new rules prohibiting the sexual portrayal or sexual representation of under-18s (or those who appear to be under 18) in advertising.

Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill John Finnie, MSP, has launched a consultation relating to a draft proposal lodged at the first stage in the process of introducing a Member’s Bill into the Scottish Parliament.

Commission on Parliamentary Reform The Commission on Parliamentary Reform was launched by the Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament on 26 October 2016.

Domestic Abuse Bill The SWC welcomes and fully supports the introduction of this Bill.

Draft Regulations Making Provision in Relation to Social Security Appeals Under the Heads of Agreement for further devolution of powers to the Scottish Parliament, as set out in the report of the Smith Commission, the operation and administration of 19 reserved tribunals will be devolved to Scotland, including the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal (SSCST).

Early Learning and Childcare – 1140 Hours Expansion – Programme of Trials – Discussion Paper, April 2016 "The Scottish Government’s aim is to develop high quality, flexible early learning and childcare (ELC) which is affordable and accessible for all.

Equally Safe – Scotland’s strategy for eradicating violence against women and girls In 2016, the Scottish Government (SG) published a revised version of “Equally Safe: Scotland’s Strategy to Eradicate Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG).

European and External Relations Committee – Call for Evidence - Scotland’s Relationship with the EU "The European and External Relations Committee is conducting an inquiry into the implications for Scotland’s relationship with the EU after the referendum result.

Evidence on Prostitution in Scotland The Scottish Government is seeking comments concerning potential policy implications arising from research put forth in the report, “Exploring Available Knowledge and Evidence on Prostitution in Scotland via Practitioner-Based Interviews”.

Free Personal Care for Under 65 Within Scotland, the current procedure and criteria for free personal care stipulates an age limit of 65 and above or, alternatively, if the individual is in the last six months of a terminal illness.

Gender Representation on Public Boards This consultation seeks views on the Scottish Government’s draft Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill.

Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill The Gender Representation on Public Boards (Scotland) Bill was introduced by Cabinet Secretary for Communities, Social Security and Equalities, Angela Constance MSP in June 2017.

Good College Governance Consultation Response The Good College Governance Task Group made a series of recommendations to improve the governance arrangements in Scotland's Colleges.

Human Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy In October 2015 the Scottish Parliament passed the Human Trafficking and Exploitation (Scotland) Act 2015, the first dedicated Scottish legislation on this issue.

Implications of Leaving the EU on Equalities Legislation and Policy in the UK

Inquiry into NHS Clinical Governance As part of the inquiry into the culture of the NHS, the Scottish Parliament’s Health and Sport Committee has decided to look at clinical governance within healthcare.

Inquiry into Sexual Harassment and Inappropriate Conduct at the Scottish Parliament The Standards, Procedures and Public Appointments Committee is holding an inquiry into sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct at the Scottish Parliament.

Interlinkages between Poverty and Human Rights in the United Kingdom The United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Professor Philip Alston, will undertake an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 6 to 16 November 2018 at the invitation of the UK Government.

Interlinkages between Poverty and Human Rights in the United Kingdom The United Nations Special Rapporteur on extreme poverty and human rights, Professor Philip Alston, will undertake an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 6 to 16 November 2018 at the invitation of the UK Government.

Intimidation Experienced by Parliamentary Candidates The purpose of the review is to examine the nature of the problem of intimidation and consider whether current measures are satisfactory to address such behaviour, especially given the rise of social media and how enforceable these measures are.

Lord Bracadale Independent Review of Hate Crime Legislation in Scotland Lord Bracadale has been appointed by the Scottish Ministers to undertake an independent review of hate crime legislation in Scotland.

Low Pay Commission Response “The Low Pay Commission has been asked to recommend to the UK Government of the UK’s minimum wage rates to apply from April 2017-2018.

Mental Health Framework The Scottish Government is seeking views on its proposed framework and priorities to transform mental health in Scotland.

Offensive Behaviour at Football and Threatening Communications (Repeal) (Scotland) Bill This Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 21 June 2017 by James Kelly, MSP.

Police 2026 The SWC has replied to Police Scotland and the SPA’s request for comment on drafting a strategy concerning significant changing in policing over the next ten years in Scotland.

Rail Infrastructure Strategy Scotland’s railways are a national asset.

Rail Infrastructure Strategy Scotland’s railways are a national asset.

Response to the Equality Statement of the Scottish Draft Budget 2016 - 2017 "The SWC welcomes the Equality Statement which accompanies the 2015-16 Draft Budget.

Response to the Low Pay Commission Consultation The Low Pay Commission (LPC) is the independent body that monitors the impact of the National Minimum Wage (NMW).

Review of the Scottish Social Housing Charter – A Consultation "Following this consultation, the Scottish Government will develop an updated version of the Charter and ask the Scottish Parliament to consider the changes and approve a new Charter from 1st April 2017.

Scotland’s Health Conversation, January 2016 "There are a number of health inequalities in Scotland, with women in deprived inner city areas living much shorter lives than their peers in less populated, less deprived parts of the country.

Social Security (Scotland) Bill Historic legislation to establish Scotland’s first social security system has been introduced to the Scottish Parliament.

Social Security (Scotland) Bill The Social Security (Scotland) Bill was introduced in June, 2017.

Social Security (Scotland) Bill - Explanatory Notes Explanatory Notes for the first Social Security (Scotland) Bill.

Social Security and in Work Poverty The Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee has launched an inquiry into social security and in-work poverty.

Social Security Conference Report As part of the Scottish Government’s consultation ‘A New future for Social Security in Scotland’, the Scottish Women’s Convention (SWC) has engaged with women, discussing issues around social security which are important to them, their families and communities as a whole.

Social Security Consultation The SWC’s response to ‘A New Future for Social Security: Consultation on Social Security in Scotland’ has been informed by the voices of women from a range of backgrounds, geographical areas and of all ages throughout the country.

Tackling Harmful Gender Stereotypes in Advertising The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) – the body that administers the UK Advertising Codes – published a report last year – Depictions, Perceptions and Harm- which provided an evidence-based case for stronger regulation of ads that feature certain kinds of gender stereotypical roles and characteristics.

Thank you letter from Jeane Freeman MSP - 23rd June Jeane Freeman thanks all organisations and members of the public involved in the Social Security Consultation Process and getting the Social Security Bill to Parliament.

The Committee of Advertising Practice and Broadcast Committee of Advertising Practice's Consultation on the Sexual Portrayal of under-18's in Advertising This consultation outlines proposals to introduce new rules prohibiting the sexual portrayal or sexual representation of under-18s (or those who appear to be under 18) in advertising.

The Economy, Jobs and Fair Work Committee Inquiry on the Gender Pay Gap in Scotland The Committee plans to focus the inquiry on three areas: • Defining the gender pay gap, and looking at how it is measured.

The Fawcett Society’s Sex Discrimination Law Review The SWC has responded to the Fawcett Society’s Sex Discrimination Law Review’s second panel session concerning Brexit and VAWG.

The Impact of Leaving the European Union on Health and Social Care in Scotland The Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee has launched an inquiry into the impact of leaving the EU on health and social care in Scotland.

The Scottish Government Consultation on Electoral Reform Under the Scotland Act 2016, the Scottish Parliament and Government have new powers and responsibilities relating to elections to the Scottish Parliament.

The Scottish Parliament Justice Committee: Inquiry into Railway Policing The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee is seeking views on the Railway Policing (Scotland) Bill.

Welfare Foods: A Consultation on Meeting the Needs of Children and Families in Scotland Currently, Welfare Foods are delivered through two schemes: The Healthy Start Scheme provides vouchers (direct financial support) to pregnant women and families on low incomes to purchase affordable nutritious food; and vitamins, for children and women (during pregnancy and after birth).