Summary

  • Nicola Sturgeon is quizzed by opposition party leaders during first minister's questions

  • Jackson Carlaw asks about child deaths at the QEUH; the FM points to engagement with parents

  • Richard Leonard and Sturgeon clash over private firm involvement in the NHS

  • Alison Johnstone calls for a 'real fox hunting ban' and the FM says legislation will be brought forward

  • Carers, shipbuilding and food banks are raised from the back benches

Live Reporting

Louise Wilson and Craig Hutchison

  1. Background: Race equality framework, action plan and update

    A Fairer Scotland for All: Race Equality Action Plan 2017-21Scottish government

    A Fairer Scotland for All: Race Equality Action Plan 2017-21

    Here is the Race equality framework for Scotland 2016 to 2030.

    In the Race Equality Action Plan 2017-2021 the Scottish government made a commitment to hold an annual event to update stakeholders on progress against actions.

    The action plan outlines more than 120 actions the government are taking over the course of this parliament to secure better outcomes for minority ethnic communities in Scotland.

    Here are the updates:

  2. If legal obligations not adhered to action must be taken

    Danny Boyle says the third sector can give examples of good practice but they are not the duty bearers.

    The BEMIS representative says we need to ask local authorities what they are doing about racial bullying in schools for example.

    "If these legal obligations are not being adhered to then we need to see some action taken against them," insists Mr Boyle.

    He adds the parliament has a key role in making this happen.

  3. How can we put race back on the agenda?

    Lib Dem MSP Beatrice Wishart asks how parliament can ensure race is put back on the agenda.

    Ms Lyle says leadership is important and this has worked well in terms of tackling discrimination against the Gypsy/Traveller community.

    What can we learn from how that was done, she wonders.

  4. 'Progress is slow and in some areas is going backwards'

    John Wilkes from the Equality and Human Rights Commissionbbc

    John Wilkes from the Equality and Human Rights Commission

    John Wilkes from the Equality and Human Rights Commission says there is lots of evidence in terms of race inequality that progress is slow and that is systemic.

    Having an overall framework with a target of 2030 is a good approach to take, adds Mr Wilkes.

    "Progress is slow and in some areas is going backwards."

    Mr Wilkes argues legislation is only part of the picture, it requires cultural and behavioral change too.

  5. 'Frustration' about lack of substantive change

    Danny Boyle from BEMIS

    Danny Boyle from BEMIS

    Danny Boyle from BEMIS says there is a general frustration that we have not seen substantive change when there is an appetite for it.

    He speaks positively about there being a race equality framework and progress reports however.

    Parveen Khan from CEMVO says outcomes are hard to measure and she suggests efforts made by the public sector to tackle racial equality can be lost in some measures.

    Parveen Khan from CEMVO

    Parveen Khan from CEMVO

  6. Background: Call for more government action on racial discrimination

    Community

    Researchers at Edinburgh University have called for more government action to tackle racial prejudice.

    They said levels of discrimination against black and ethnic minority (BAME) Scots were persisting.

    The Scottish government introduced a Race Equality Framework in 2016 to tackle racial discrimination.

    However, a survey suggested fewer people from the BAME community believed the current anti-discrimination laws were working.

    Read more.

  7. 'We've been here so many times with the same old issues'

    Jatin Haria from CRERbbc

    Jatin Haria from CRER

    Jatin Haria from CRER says the letter from his organisation referred to the lack of scrutiny on race equality.

    Mr Haria says he was disappointed with the year one update on the race equality action plan, which is why CRER wrote separately to this committee.

    Without scrutiny who will improve this situation, he asks.

    "We've been here so many times with the same old issues," says Mr Haria.

    CRER would welcome ongoing scrutiny.

  8. Little progress on race equality

    Kaliani Lyle

    Convener Ruth Maguire asks for reflections on progress on race equality in the last 20 years.

    Kaliani Lyle, the former race equality framework adviser, says progress has not been made, pointing to employment rates, bullying, poverty and other measurements.

    "Very little in the last 20 years has been done that would you make you feel progress has been made."

    This is not because of a lack of efforts so we need to be questioning why this is the case rather than reinventing the wheel, she adds.

  11. Welcome to Holyrood Live

    Welcome to Holyrood Live's coverage of the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 21 November 2019.

    10:15 am: Equalities and Human Rights Committee: Race equality

    11:40 am: General Questions

    12 pm: First Minister's Questions

    12.45 pm: Members’ Business: Annie Wells – World Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Day

    First minister's questionsBBC/PA

    We'll bring you extensive coverage of first minister's questions from noon

    2:30 pm:Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body Questions

    2:45 pm – 3:05 pm: Portfolio Questions: Health and Sport

    3.05-5.00 pm:Scottish Government Debate: TV Licences for over 75s

    Elderly couple watching TVGetty Images