Scottish Government to Publish ICESCR Action Plan

Scottish Government to Publish ICESCR Action Plan

The Minister for Equalities, Kaukab Stewart MSP, has responded to a joint letter from civil society organisations calling for an action plan on the UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) Concluding Observations.

In her letter of 19 August 2025, the Minister confirmed that “a high-level action plan responding to the ICESCR Concluding Observations will be published before the end of the year.”

This commitment follows sustained calls from civil society, including our July letter signed by a broad coalition of organisations, which urged the Scottish Government to prioritise the 96 recommendations set out by the UN Committee earlier this year.

The Concluding Observations cover a wide range of issues affecting people’s everyday rights in Scotland, including poverty, social security, housing, mental health, migrant and Gypsy/Traveller rights, and the right to food.

We will monitor developments closely through ongoing engagement with the Scottish Government and the Human Rights Tracker process, and will keep members updated.