The Socioeconomic Duty - A Consultation. Scottish Government July 2017 Summary Dr Linda Leighton-Beck Head of Social Inclusion, Public Health

We know that people living in worse off neighbourhoods are less likely to live long, healthy lives than more advantaged citizens. worst,5-8 live less long 10th decile

Scotland in 2017: wealth distribution

What difference will the new duty make? Contention - We need to optimise the leverage within strategic decisions to address issues related to reducing inequalities to make the biggest differences. Duty asks about how to make the best decisions possible with the best chance of tackling poverty and inequality.

Example – before the duty (1) Council developing new plan for low-cost housing - Addresses shortage of affordable homes Two possible sites Chosen site: Greenfield site at far east end of council area, relatively cheap Lay new pipes. Build houses with gardens people indicate they want Few bus services No plans to build additional services .

Example – after the duty (2) Business plan now includes : Need for new bus services, shops and other local amenities. Provides information on these services & costs of setting them up. Alternative option : Low cost flats in empty site near centre of council area Costs more per home but residents can use existing local services Easier for residents to get to work Some resource still required for local services and amenity/play area.

Example – after the duty (2) Council now consults - with people with lived experience - about preferred site Local people want site in centre of the council area because of ease of access to jobs Council publishes short report including rationale for decision to build in centre of council area.

Public bodies covered by new duty Scottish Ministers Local councils NHS Health Scotland Health and Social Care Integration Joint Boards Regional Health Boards The Scottish Police Authority Highlands and Islands Enterprise Scottish Enterprise

Strategic decisions - examples New plans for: housing in a local area growing the local economy and new jobs spending on new roads and hospitals setting up a community woodland helping prevent crime transport in the region.

Assuring performance of socioeconomic duty Require/encourage public bodies to record and publish assessment of impacts - on poverty and inequality - of significant decisions Establish Fairness Commission Involve people who have lived in poverty in making significant decisions

Consultation Qs 1 Key terms reasonable to include in guidance? Socio economic disadvantage Inequalities of outcome Decisions of a strategic nature Due regard. 2A Scottish public authorities the right ones? 2B Should Duty apply to any other public authority similar to those in Equality Act 2010? 3

Equality Act 2010, as amended by the Scotland Act 2016 Power to amend section 1 “relevant authority” means an authority whose functions are— exercisable only in, or as regards Scotland wholly or mainly devolved Scottish functions, and correspond ,or are similar, to those specified in section 3.

Public authorities listed in Equality Act Minister of the Crown; Government department other than the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service or the Government Communications Head-quarters; County council or district council in England; Greater London Authority; London borough council; Common Council of the City of London in capacity of local authority; Council of the Isles of Scilly; Strategic Health Authority under section 13 of the National Health Service Act 2006, or continued in existence by virtue of that section; Primary Care Trust established under section 18 of that Act, or continued in existence by virtue of that section; Regional development agency established by the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998 Police authority established for an area in England.

Consultation Qs - Section 3 Requirements of the Duty Step 1: Identifying which strategic decisions public authorities take Step 2: Identifying inequalities of outcome caused by socio-economic disadvantage Step 3: Exercising the duty during decision-making Step 4: Monitoring impact over the longer term

Qs section 3 – meeting the requirements 3A Comments on the steps set out in SECTION 3? 3B Other actions public authorities could take to demonstrate meeting the duty? 3C Suggestions on how public authorities could improve budgetary analysis and reporting ? 3D Examples of how public authorities and others have involved people with direct experience of poverty? 3F Should public authorities use existing monitoring frameworks to track socioeconomic outcomes over time?

Qs section 4 Links with other Duties - Once the socio-economic duty is introduced 4A What could public authorities and Scottish Government do to ensure links between the different duties are managed effectively within organisations? 4B Examples of good practice in taking an integrated approach to issues such as poverty, equality, and human rights?

Embedding health inequalities impact screening in significant decision making To support colleagues we have developed an easy steps guide to health inequalities impact screening. The guide is available on NHS Grampian Hi-Net/ Health Inequalities Scottish Government guidance is anticipated by the end of 2017.