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From Data to Action: The Need for Mandatory Gender Pay Gap Action Plans in Scotland’s Public Sector

Last Updated
24 April 2026
Source
Close the Gap

Resource Tags

Content Types:

Guidance Report

Relevant Driver(s):

2. Developing accountability and transparency 3. Ensuring effective regulatory and policy environment

Specific Action(s):

1D. Ensure compliance with legal obligations 2C. Collect and use diversity data 2D. Report on progress regularly 3A. Understand legal obligations 3B. Develop equality and human rights policies

Implementation Levels:

Advanced
Development

Prior Knowledge Required:

Intermediate

Organisation Size:

Large Medium

Sector:

Education Government Health and social care Local authorities

Role:

Equality/Diversity/Human Rights Specialists HR Professionals Legal & Compliance Staff Policy Officers/Makers Senior Leaders/Management

PSED Needs:

Advance equality of opportunity Eliminate discrimination

Protected Characteristics:

Sex

Resource content

A Close the Gap policy briefing making the evidence-based case for requiring Scottish public sector bodies to publish mandatory gender pay gap action plans as part of the PSED specific duties. Includes a detailed assessment of compliance failures — in 2023 only 38% of public bodies published the required occupational segregation data — and sets out what good action planning looks like in practice.

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