Question reference: S5W-28932
- Asked by: Fulton MacGregor, MSP for Coatbridge and Chryston, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 6 May 2020
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Current status: Answered by Michael Russell on 18 May 2020
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when guidelines for reporting on the use of emergency powers under the Coronavirus (Scotland) Act 2020 and the Coronavirus Act 2020 will be published, and whether they will recommend that data is collected and disaggregated by protected characteristics wherever appropriate and possible.
Answer
The reporting requirements set out in Section 15 of the Scottish Act specify a range of detail that must be covered as part of this process. In developing our approach we are considering how we focus and prioritise reporting towards matters of significant interest or implications – including impacts on vulnerable groups and human rights - and identify those areas in which more detailed reporting may be needed. Section 9 of the Scottish Act makes a commitment to the advancement of equality and non-discrimination, and equality impacts and implications for individuals and groups with protected characteristics will be an important aspect of the reporting mechanisms adopted.
In my recent statement to Parliament I outlined the principles of the approach we are developing for reporting on the Acts, and I will shortly be setting out further detail on the terms and structure of these reports and the supporting process for engagement and scrutiny.