Selected Current Consultations

Scottish Government and Parliamentary consultations

The Scottish Parliament encourages members of the public to make their voices heard. The Scottish Government website provides a convenient list of Scottish Parliament Committee consultations and Scottish Government consultations, with links to electronic forms. You can register on the website to have an e-mail alert for new consultations. The following are some current consultations which may be of interest:

• The Equal Opportunities Committee is seeking views for a short inquiry, undertaken as part of the budget strategy phase, looking at how provision of public services aimed at equality groups can be adequately maintained during a period of tightening public expenditure. Respond by 9th April.
• The Equal Opportunities Committee of the Scottish Parliament is seeking views on the impact and contribution of migrant populations within Scottish society and the extent and nature of trafficking. Respond by 9th April.
• Consultation on pesticides. Respond by 4th May.
• Consultation on extending Permitted Development Rights For Domestic Micro-Wind Turbines and Air-Source Heat Pumps. Respond by 30 April 2010.
• Inquiry into future agricultural support for Scotland. Respond by 5 March 2010.

 UK Government Consultations

The UK Government consultations concern legislation relating to reserved matters, which include employment. Current consultations for the Department for Business Innovation & Skills, Department of Energy and Climate Change and Department for Work and Pensions can be found on their websites. Parliament is currently developing its capacity to run online consultations on behalf of parliamentary select committees; current and past consultations are available by clicking here. Selected current consultations which may be of interest are listed below.

• Consultation on impact of proposed new regulations for lone parent job seekers. Respond by 29 March.
• Consultation on service improvements for people moving on to claim their state pension. Respond by 12th March.
• Consultation on developing the banking and financial services available at Post Offices
  Respond by 24 February 2010

Highland Council Consultations

Highland Council consultations are flagged up on the right hand side of the Home Page of the Council Website. Selected current consultations are listed below.

• Highland Development Plan Scheme. The 2009 Development Plan Scheme has been submitted to Scottish Ministers for their consideration. Highland Council invites feedback on the scheme, particularly on the suggested methods for involving people in local development plans.
• Planning consultations

Selected Other Consultations

• The Equality and Human Rights Commision (EHRC) is consulting on the draft non-statutory guidance for employment, services, public functions and associations, and education. These consultations are open until 16 April.
• The Centre for Women & Democracy is investigating the use of internet campaigning techniques, which are expected to play an increased role in the next general election. They are interested in hearing from women who have experience of views on this issue, either by e-mail or on their blog.

Scottish Women's Convention: round table discussions,  roadshows, and consultation responses

The Scottish Women's Convention hosts meetings, inviting women within Scotland to share their views on different topics. These meetings can help inform the work of the Scottish Women's Convention and feed into the policy initiatives of the Scottish Executive.  Further details and reports from previous consultation are available on the SWC website. Responses by the SWC to some consulations are also available from the Document Library of the W@W website.

Research consultations

Occasionally Women@Work receives requests from researchers asking for help in their projects.

• Research into domestic work. Dr Marianna Tortell is looking for women to participate in a multi country study of women working as nannies, cleaners, housekeepers, or cooks, by taking part in a 40 minute interview. All answers are anonymous and personal details are not recorded. If you or anyone you know is happy to be inteviewed, please contact Dr Tortell at mariannatortell@yahoo.com.
• The NUS Women's Campaign has launched a survey exploring women students' experiences of harassment, violence, sexual assault and stalking. The survey aims to uncover the specific experiences of women students in relation to violence, how it affects their education, and to establish how safe or unsafe women students feel in different environments.

Finished Consulations

Click here for a list of finished consultations previously listed on the W@W website.