Consultation responses
The SWC consults with women throughout Scotland around the issues that matter the most to them. Discussions have taken place with women from a variety of different backgrounds and of all ages.
The SWC uses the voices of these women to respond to Scottish and UK Government consultations.
Consultations, Enquiries and Calls for Evidence are one of the key ways in which the SWC communicates its wealth of evidence directly to policy makers. For this reason, our consultation development is at the heart of what we do, as it's the main way we see women's lived experiences being utilised to create positive change.
If you have any experiences or feedback on our consultations, please complete our feedback form.
Archived Consultation Responses
We are proud to have submitted a large number of consultation responses since our founding. These have covered a wide variety of issues impacting women, from Living Wage, affordable housing and meantal health, to pregnancy and maternity discrimination, tax reform and Brexit.
Through our work during SWC conferences, roundtables, and roadshows, we have developed a wealth of knowledge from women across Scotland sharing their lived experiences. This has provided guidance and evidence for our Consultation responses and other interactions with decision-makers.
In this section
Related publications
“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.
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 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
Benefit Take Up
The Scottish Parliament's Social Security Committee has launched an inquiry into benefit take-up.
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.
Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill
The Children (Equal Protection from Assault) (Scotland) Bill was introduced in the Scottish Parliament on 6 September 2018.
Children (Scotland) Bill
The Scottish Parliament’s Justice Committee is asking for views on the Children (Scotland) Bill.
Draft for Consultation: Carer's Strategy Policy Statement
The Carers Strategic Policy Statement is intended to maximise the benefits from national policies and approaches to support carers (including major ongoing reforms such as implementation of the Carers (Scotland) Act and the development of new social security powers for carers).
Draft Regulations Making Provision in Relation to Social Security Appeals
C
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.
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.
Extending Redundancy Protection for Women and New Parents
Extending Restrictions in Unsuitable Temporary Accommodation
The Programme for Government announced by the First Minister on 5 September 2017 set out a new commitment to eradicate rough sleeping, transform the use of temporary accommodation in Scotland and end homelessness.
Good Work Plan: Proposals to Support Families
The UK Government is seeking views on proposals to better support parents to balance work and family-life.
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 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 will undertake an official visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland His visit will focus, in accordance with his mandate, on the interlinkages between poverty and the realization of human rights in the United Kingdom.
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.
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.
Low Pay Commission, 2019
The Low Pay Commission is the independent body that advises the Government on the level of the minimum wage.
Mental Health Framework
The Scottish Government is seeking views on its proposed framework and priorities to transform mental health in Scotland.
Out of School Care in Scotland – A Draft Framework for Consultation
The Scottish Government’s draft framework on Out of School Care sets out what is known about the out of school care sector in Scotland and asks questions about what the Scottish Government can do to support families in accessing high quality, flexible and affordable services which benefit children and parents and carers.
Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill
A call for views on a Bill to ensure everyone in Scotland who needs to use period products can obtain them free of charge through a "period products scheme" which the Scottish Government would have to set up.
Proposed Fair Rents (Scotland) Bill
A proposal for a Bill to protect private sector tenants by introducing measures to limit rent increases and to increase the availability of information about rent levels.
Proposed Stalking Protection (Scotland) Bill
The proposal is to introduce Stalking Protection Orders (SPOs) in Scotland, and to give the police the power to apply for SPOs on behalf of victims.
Proposed Wheelchairs (Short Term Access) (Scotland) Bill
A proposal for a Bill to ensure the provision of wheelchairs to anyone assessed as needing one on a short-term, as well as a long-term basis.
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.
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 National Transport Strategy
The Scottish Government are consulting on the new draft National Transport Strategy to help determine whether the Strategy's Vision, Priorities and Outcomes are the right ones for Scotland’s transport network for the next twenty years.
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.
Scottish Government Proposed Job Grant
Scottish Government: A Consultation on Improving Disability Assistance in Scotland
The Scottish Government (SG) is consulting on whether the policy intent set out in the Scottish approach to Disability Assistance will meet the needs of the children and adults it is intended to help.
Sexual Harassment in the Workplace
The UK Government are looking at whether the current laws on this issue provide the protections they’re supposed to; considering whether there are any gaps and thinking about what more can be done at a practical level to ensure people are properly protected at work.
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 - Explanatory Notes
Explanatory Notes for the first Social Security (Scotland) Bill.
Social Security and in Work Poverty
The Scottish Parliament’s Social Security Committee will focus on the potential impact of Universal
Credit on in-work poverty and is seeking input from organisations and individuals to inform
their view.
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.
Technical Guidance on Sexual Harassment
The Commission has issued draft guidance titled ‘Technical guidance on sexual harassment and harassment at work’ to help employers, workers and their representatives understand the law in this area and to set out best practice principles for handling these issues in the workplace.
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 Impact of Leaving the European Union on Health and Social Care in Scotland
The Scottish Parliament's Health and Sport Committee is considering what the NHS and social care in Scotland could look like post-Brexit with a focus on how potential risks could be mitigated and potential opportunities
could be realised.
The Scottish Government Call for Views: A Consultation on Commencing Local Connection and Intentionality Provisions in Homelessness Legislation
This Scottish Government consultation paper invites views on implementing the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Action Group (HARSAG) recommendation to commence the Local Connection and Intentionality provisions in the Homelessness etc.
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.
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).
Welfare in Scotland
The UK Parliament's Scottish Affairs Committee has launched an inquiry into Welfare in Scotland.
Widening the Scope of the Current Victim Statement Scheme
The Scottish Government has committed to consulting on the details of widening the range of serious crimes which carry the right to make a victim statement.