Programme for Government: Key announcements for community development
/This article was featured in the SCDC Weekly - 11th September 2024.
Last week’s Programme for Government set out the main priorities for the Scottish Government over the next 12 months. In this edition of the Weekly, we’ve identified some of the key announcements and issues related to community development policy and practice.
Local decision making and Democracy Matters
The Scottish Government have reiterated they will be “responding in detail” to the Democracy Matters consultation which has explored how communities can have more influence in how local decisions are made. While like others, we had supported the government's own suggestion for a ‘Local Democracy Bill’ to be brought before the end of this parliament, a commitment to continuing this work is welcome.
Government have said work will continue to conclude the Local Governance Review (which Democracy Matters is part of) by the end of this parliamentary session. This progress will be important if we’re to see communities at the heart of local democracy and develop a more preventative model of public services.
We recently set out our vision for local democracy. Hearing more about what concrete changes – and the powers communities could be afforded – will be vital if we’re to match the ambition of the consultation, and the significant contributions already made from communities.
Community wealth building
The government have confirmed that a Community Wealth Building Bill will be passed in this parliament. This is focused on making sure the local economy produces more benefits for local people by harnessing the public spending on services for communities.
This investment can benefit communities more directly by delivering local employment, supporting local business and social enterprises. Key to this is increasing the influence communities have on the local and wider economy to receive more of the benefits.
We have supported the principles of this approach, but also said that big political decisions on tax and redistribution are required to help make these policies ‘transformational’. Community-led organisations must be enabled to participate and have access to resources and community capacity building support to play a key role and take advantage of these opportunities and benefits, particularly those most marginalised.
Human Rights
Despite extensive consultation on its content last year, a Human Rights Bill failed to appear in this year’s Programme for Government, after being delayed in June due to the General Election.
We echo the disappointment of organisations such as the Scottish Human Rights Commission and Human Rights Consortium Scotland, which has said its lack of inclusion is "a broken promise to the people of Scotland". The government have said they are “committed to legislation to incorporate international treaties into Scots law”, such as they have done with the recent Rights of the Child legislation.
Human Rights are at the core of community development approaches, and a Human Rights Bill would provide an extension of the right to participate in decisions which impact on the rights of everyone in Scotland. We sincerely hope this Bill is included in the final programme for government before the May 2026 election.
Anti-poverty
Eradicating poverty has once again been placed as “the single greatest priority for this Government”. Measures included support for social security advice services, more affordable childcare and closing the attainment gap. However, plans for universal free school meals for P6 and P7 children were dropped.
The Poverty Alliance have said that “warm words must lead to urgent action on poverty”, while Child Poverty Action Group Scotland welcomed making child poverty a priority, but added that “more investment is needed".
What you need to know this week.
The SCDC Weekly gives you everything you need to know around community development and beyond.
It’s free, concise and delivered directly to your inbox every Wednesday.