Watchdog criticises new equality laws

Requirements in Scottish legislation to promote socio-enconomic equality are “effectively wishful thinking”, a watchdog has said.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission said the Scottish Government identified four laws in the past four years including such requirements. EHRC Commissioner Lesley Sawers said: “Whilst these new duties were positive in their intent, because of a lack of clarity about who was responsible for implementing them, they haven’t had the impact they were intended to.”