Kate Nevens

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville · 15 Jul 2026

The approval and commencement of the Code of Practice is a matter reserved to the UK Government. The Secretary of State holds powers under the Equality Act 2006 to commence the Code following Parliamentary scrutiny, and it is the responsibility of the EHRC, as regulator of the Equality Act 2010, to provide statutory guidance in relation to the Act.Public bodies are also responsible for ensuring that they comply with their legal obligations under the Equality Act 2010, including having regard to statutory guidance from the EHRC.The Scottish Government’s approach remains grounded in dignity, respect, fairness and the protection of rights for all. That includes protecting the privacy of trans people and others who may be impacted by the Code.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville · 15 Jul 2026

The Scottish Government engages regularly with LGBTQI+ stakeholders, including organisations representing trans people, and has discussed the draft Code of Practice as part of that ongoing engagement.The First Minister and I also hosted a roundtable with community members in March to discuss trans lives in Scotland today and the issues currently affecting trans people.This engagement will continue as we consider the revised Code, including with trans people, LGBTQI+ stakeholders and other groups who may be impacted.

Answer · Shirley-Anne Somerville · 15 Jul 2026

The Scottish Government responded formally to the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s public consultation on the draft Code of Practice on 25 July 2025 setting out our views. We also wrote to the UK Government on in November 2025, reiterating our views on the draft Code.Trans people, and those presenting in gender non-conforming ways, are valued members of our society and remain protected under the Equality Act 2010 from discrimination and harassment. The Scottish Government’s approach will continue to be grounded in dignity, respect, fairness and the protection of rights for all.

Answer · Kirsten Oswald · 9 Jul 2026

The Scottish Government is clear that everyone should be able to practise their faith safely and free from fear and condemns all forms of religiously motivated violence affecting Muslim communities and places of worship.We are continuing to work closely with Police Scotland, Muslim communities and local partners to understand the concerns being felt, particularly following recent incidents, and to identify what support may be needed to provide reassurance and enhance security. This includes ongoing dialogue to ensure that responses are informed by the experiences of those directly affected.We will continue to support communities and work in partnership with local and national organisations to help ensure that places of worship remain safe and that communities feel reassured in their daily lives.It should be noted that the UK Government’s Places of Worship Protective Security Scheme is available for communities in Scotland, with applications open continuously, and details of how to apply can be found at Protective Security for Mosques Scheme - GOV.UK.Alongside this, we will continue to consider how our wider work on community safety and resilience, including through the Hate Crime Strategy, can support communities and respond to emerging concerns.

Answer · Kirsten Oswald · 9 Jul 2026

The Scottish Government condemns all forms of religiously motivated violence and is clear that communities affected by reported attacks targeting Muslims should feel safe, supported and resilient.We have established strong working relationships with Muslim communities across Scotland, and we continue to engage with communities to ensure appropriate support and reassurance is in place.We recognise the importance of ensuring that engagement reflects the diversity within affected communities. We continue to strengthen and build on these relationships and our networks to ensure these voices are heard.Work is progressing on the next phase of Scotland’s Hate Crime Strategy, and we are taking steps to ensure that this is informed by these stakeholders. Alongside this, we will continue to consider how our engagement and resilience work can best support communities and respond to emerging issues.We will continue to work closely with partners at both local and national level to ensure that our approach remains cohesive.

Answer · Neil Gray · 17 Jul 2026

The Scottish Government works in close partnership with stakeholders to tackle hatred and prejudice in all of its forms to ensure proportionate responses to a broad spectrum of threat, including through the ongoing delivery of Scotland’s Hate Crime Strategy. We maintain well-established relationships with our faith and belief communities, which are strengthened by regular and meaningful engagement at both ministerial and official level.The ways people can be radicalised are continuously evolving, and we recognise that there is no single pathway or single set of factors. That is why we must remain alert and flexible to ensure our wider efforts, across multiple policy areas, build inclusive communities that are resistant to radicalisation and equipped to challenge extremist narratives. We continue to work with national and local partners to build trust and resilience.

Answer · Angela Constance · 20 Jul 2026

NHS Boards are responsible for general medical services and ensuring that their GP contractors act within the agreed terms of their contracts. If an NHS Board believes that a communication from GP contractors does not reflect those agreements, that is a matter for the board to raise with the practice.

Answer · Angela Constance · 20 Jul 2026

The existing guidance does not set out to cover all the circumstances in which patients might be removed from their current GP practice.Patients who are concerned about being removed from a practice list when areas are revised should contact their practice or their local health board.