The vision and recommendations of the Citizens’ Assembly
Vision
We, the Citizens’ Assembly of Scotland, were asked to consider the following topics:
What kind of country we are seeking to build?
How best we can overcome the challenges Scotland and the world face in the 21st century, including those arising from Brexit?
What further work should be carried out to give us the information we need to make informed choices about the future of the country?
In response, and by consensus, we have agreed the following vision for the country.
The Scotland we want to see should lead with integrity, honesty, humility and transparency, in a self-sufficient and innovative way, and actively include the people of Scotland in decision making.
Authorities have a duty to publish information that is valid, accurate, reliable, verifiable and accessible to all.
Scotland should be a country where the people and government communicate with each other honestly and respectfully; whilst working together with concise and factual information, based on openness and accountability.
The Scotland that we would want to see would be leaders in innovation, with an obligation to invest in people to create jobs, confidence, development and growth.
Scotland should be a country where the people of Scotland have properly resourced and managed health and social care services, built around individuals and communities to achieve good health and wellbeing for all.
In order to achieve a better standard of living and opportunities for all we must invest in accessible, relevant training, support and improved income through a realistic living wage.
Scotland should be a country where people are supported out of poverty by identifying and removing barriers to employment, education and housing.
Scotland should be a country where all taxes are simplified and made more proportionate so that everyone is taxed accordingly; taxation is transparent and understandable; measures are introduced to minimise tax avoidance: and companies are incentivised to adopt green values.
The Scotland we want to see will provide support, education, growth opportunities and security for all young people to realise their potential, both physically and mentally, regardless of their background with a view to securing their future and that of our country.
Scotland should be a country where we encourage and support everyone to reach their full potential through support and training. Providing fair and equality-driven opportunities, through personal development, with a focus on life and vocational skills, apprenticeships and hands-on experience.
Recomendations
And we have prepared the following recommendations for action
In voting on the Assembly recommendations we were invited to say whether we ‘strongly agreed’, ‘agreed’, ‘disagreed’ or ‘strongly disagreed’ with each recommendation. The results of this vote are reported below according to those which were ‘strongly supported’ where more than 75% of us either ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ with the recommendation and those which were ‘majority supported’ where more than 50% of us ‘agreed’ or ‘strongly agreed’ that a recommendation should be supported by the Assembly.
As this report shows, we strongly support 58 of the 60 recommendations and a majority of us support the remaining 2 recommendations. There were no recommendations which received less than 50% support.
The recommendations are numbered and grouped as they were presented in weekend 8. These groups bring together recommendations which cover related topics. The breakdown of actual votes cast is also included.
For a full account of the voting process see Annex 14.
Strongly supported
(Recommendations which received more than 75% support)
How decisions are taken
Why this is important
1. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to allow citizens to make informed decisions in relation to Scotland leading with integrity, honesty, humility and transparency in a self-sufficient and innovative way the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: make further use of citizens’ assemblies to gather people’s views and ideas on issues of national importance, e.g. to involve citizens in reviewing existing legislation in key areas and suggesting which should be simplified or reviewed.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.88% Disagree 6.80% Agree 26.21% Strongly agree 63.11% Total votes 103
2. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to citizens' engagement in decision-making the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: make decisions jointly with citizens through mini assemblies on issues that affect everyone, including all under-represented groups. These should be called at the start of each parliamentary session and be set up to examine specific issues. Their recommendations must be debated in Parliament before the assemblies are disbanded.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.94% Disagree 11.65% Agree 42.72% Strongly agree 43.69% Total votes 103
3. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to citizens' engagement in decision-making the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: set up a ‘house of citizens’ to scrutinise government proposals and give assent to parliamentary bills. Membership should be time-limited and representative of the population of Scotland, similar to the way this CA was selected. There should be an oversight body to ensure this.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 5.83% Disagree 10.68% Agree 41.75% Strongly agree 41.75% Total votes 103
4. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to citizens' engagement in decision-making the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: set up a citizens' committee in Scottish Parliament. This would be a randomly selected body, with members being encouraged and supported to take part. It would offer advice and opinions on government proposals, review the work of parliament and hold the government to account. It would be for a fixed term with members receiving a gift of thanks.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 4.85% Disagree 9.71% Agree 38.83% Strongly agree 46.60% Total votes 103
5. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to having citizens influence changing laws and making decisions the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: make more use of Citizens’ Assemblies to involve communities and citizens in deliberating on major policies. They should be used regularly. There should be an independent body to make the decision on when and on what topics when politicians cannot come to agreement, and to ensure accountability for follow up.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.91% Disagree 14.56% Agree 37.86% Strongly agree 44.66% Total votes 103
6. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to ensure that citizens can make informed decisions in relation to rebuilding their communities the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: establish community-based citizens' assemblies to assess what is happening in our communities (including the effects of COVID-19), identify gaps and recommend actions, including through digital technology, that can bring people together and make our communities more inclusive.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.88% Disagree 5.83% Agree 52.43% Strongly agree 37.86% Total votes 103
7. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to allow citizens to make informed decisions in relation to Scotland leading with integrity, honesty, humility and transparency in a self-sufficient and innovative way the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: ensure the honesty, transparency and integrity of politicians, the existing standards of behaviour should be promoted and strengthened if required, to increase accountability of those elected for their actions within government.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.97% Disagree 2.91% Agree 32.04% Strongly agree 64.08% Total votes 103
8. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to citizens' engagement in decision-making the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: encourage MSPs to act on the views of their constituents, rather than sticking with party lines. They should actively consult with constituents on matters which may have an impact on their community and on matters about which a significant number of constituents have shown concern.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.97% Disagree 7.77% Agree 43.69% Strongly agree 47.57% Total votes 103
9. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to the lack of public trust in politicians the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: appoint a non-political independent review body to do a forensic investigation to deliver:
- a more accountable parliament with acceptable standards of behaviour
- responsibility for delivery on commitments
- faster public access to information on what is happening
- acknowledgement of all those who supported society during Covid-19
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.91% Disagree 12.62% Agree 39.81% Strongly agree 44.66% Total votes 103
10. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of/failure to deliver on policy the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: be held accountable and consequences in place when goals are not met.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.97% Disagree 9.71% Agree 31.07% Strongly agree 58.25% Total votes 103
11. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to the Government sharing good quality, honest information with the public the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: make an annual presentation of major commitments and policies and progress against them. Presented simply and without jargon. Pitched at a level that is accessible but meaningful using media channels in a non-biased and honest way as a true representation of what is happening and what is ongoing.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.91% Disagree 4.85% Agree 38.83% Strongly agree 53.40% Total votes 103
12. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to publishing information that is valid, accurate, reliable, verifiable and accessible to all the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: regularly publish all tax-payer funded documentation (including legislation, research, expert advice, curriculums, etc.) in a free and publicly available space with all relevant links and sources attached in formats that are easily understandable and searchable.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.91% Disagree 5.83% Agree 42.72% Strongly agree 48.54% Total votes 103
14. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to ensure that transparency is maintained the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: treat the public as equals and publish all relevant information which informs local and national government decisions in one central location which is easily searchable and cross-referenced. Information should be available for all (e.g. in other languages and in formats suitable for people with disabilities such as using screen readers).
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.91% Disagree 9.71% Agree 39.81% Strongly agree 47.57% Total votes 103
Incomes and poverty
Why this is important
16. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of work poverty the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: make the payment of a living wage a legal requirement for all employers.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.97% Disagree 1.94% Agree 22.33% Strongly agree 74.76% Total votes 103
17. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of unstable work and low incomes the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: work with Westminster to make zero hours contracts illegal.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.88% Disagree 10.68% Agree 25.24% Strongly agree 60.19% Total votes 103
18. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of Scotland’s poverty the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: set up a task force to overcome poverty – there should be one in each council area and with guidelines from government including fair representation of citizens affected by poverty on the task force.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.88% Disagree 7.77% Agree 37.86% Strongly agree 50.49% Total votes 103
19. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to ensure that citizens can make informed decisions in relation to defining poverty the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: ask citizens 3 questions:
- Do you have a roof over your head?
- Can you heat your house?
- Will you be able to put hot food on the table?
- If the answer is no, you are in poverty.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 6.80% Disagree 15.53% Agree 24.27% Strongly agree 53.40% Total votes 103
20. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to ensure that citizens can make informed decisions in relation to preventing poverty the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: identify issues that lead people falling into poverty and intercept people before they reach poverty, e.g. address job losses, push for the abolishment of zero hour contracts, etc.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.91% Disagree 3.88% Agree 35.92% Strongly agree 57.28% Total votes 103
21. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of working poverty the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: push for the abolishment of the zero hour contract, make companies more flexible and accountable and have all companies pay staff at least the living wage.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.88% Disagree 4.85% Agree 25.24% Strongly agree 66.02% Total votes 103
22. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to ensure that citizens can make informed decisions in relation to support for poverty the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: require the 32 local councils to establish local task forces and appoint a poverty representative as a bridge between local and national level.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.91% Disagree 7.77% Agree 50.49% Strongly agree 38.83% Total votes 103
Tax and economy
Why this is important
23. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of the tax gap the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: provide legislation and power to a proactive, independent, specialist body that is responsible for finding evaders and avoiders of tax, with power to recover tax due.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.88% Disagree 4.85% Agree 29.13% Strongly agree 62.14% Total votes 103
24. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of adverse business practices the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: develop tax incentives for all businesses to encourage good employment practices such as:
- good environmental choices;
- higher salaries/wages so that people have more money to spend in the Scottish economy;
- apprenticeships and opportunities for young school leavers and graduates in trades and skills as well as academic pursuits;
- large businesses being motivated to invest in research to contribute to creating jobs;
- invest in and develop workforce skills (engineering and new industries like green energy, entrepreneurial skills, etc).
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.94% Disagree 0.00% Agree 28.16% Strongly agree 69.90% Total votes 103
25. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to make tax more transparent and understandable the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: provide an information hub for everyone about tax and why it is important. Individuals should be signposted to this hub when they receive their National Insurance number.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 4.85% Disagree 4.85% Agree 51.46% Strongly agree 38.83% Total votes 103
26. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of understanding tax the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: publish a register of organisations which shows compliance with tax and employment measures using the green/amber/red system.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.94% Disagree 12.62% Agree 46.60% Strongly agree 38.83% Total votes 103
27. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of understanding tax the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: appoint a credible, engaging and independent figure who can communicate government tax and spending information every quarter in a way that involves and educates the public. This could be done by creating a public information post using graphics and delivered either in person or using characters and voice overs through animation.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.91% Disagree 21.36% Agree 44.66% Strongly agree 31.07% Total votes 103
28. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of understanding tax the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: provide a public statement available on all platforms from the Finance Minister every quarter about how taxes of all types have been spent and what remains in all budgets.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.94% Disagree 9.71% Agree 46.60% Strongly agree 41.75% Total votes 103
29. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of growing Scottish industry sustainably the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required:
- Identify and invest in industries conducive to making Scotland a global leader and a hub for scientific and technological innovation
- Build on Scotland's scientific, industrial and technological strengths and its extensive natural resources
Have a strong innovative leadership and culture that takes the necessary action to motivate and allow others to realise their aspirations and abilities.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 3.88% Agree 38.83% Strongly agree 57.28% Total votes 103
30. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of encouraging individuals and companies to engage in the process of innovation the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: invest and incentivise through research grants and tax breaks, etc.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.97% Disagree 5.83% Agree 55.34% Strongly agree 37.86% Total votes
31. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of ensuring that the very best and most talented people and businesses in the new technological industries are located in Scotland, the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required:
- Establish more centres of excellence in new technologies in every area of Scotland. For example, the Rowett Institute in Aberdeen and Roslin Innovation Centre.
- Inspire children from an early age to have an interest in, and to consider a career in, science and technology. This would be achieved through education and other initiatives such as an educational theme park like the Epcot Centre
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.88% Disagree 11.65% Agree 41.75% Strongly agree 42.72% Total votes 103
32. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to enabling Scotland to lead with integrity, honesty, humility and transparency in a self-sufficient and innovative way the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: develop a plan for investment in business in Scotland to secure jobs in the wake of COVID-19. To concentrate on Scottish small and medium size businesses needing support rather than multinationals. Investment should favour those businesses willing to behave ethically.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.97% Disagree 7.77% Agree 26.21% Strongly agree 65.05% Total votes 103
Young people
Why this is important
33. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to young people’s mental health issues the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: fund compulsory, permanent mental health support liaison officers in every school, increase and ring-fence funding for CAMHS (Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services) and better support for the transition into adult mental health services.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.96% Disagree 3.92% Agree 34.31% Strongly agree 59.80% Total votes 102
34. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to affordable and quality housing the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: work with councils and other stakeholders, including tenant associations (such as Living Rent), to implement rent caps across the country, give all young people entitlement to affordable social housing, simplify the information available to young people about welfare support for housing, strictly enforce rules for landlords including housing associations, to maintain good quality repair of housing, and make buying property more accessible.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.96% Disagree 1.96% Agree 46.08% Strongly agree 50.00% Total votes 102
35. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to young people's unemployment and underemployment the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: create more apprenticeships and increase apprentice wages, guarantee further opportunities at the end of college training courses and apprenticeships, including through employer incentives, and create an apprenticeship database for employers to find qualified young people.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 0.98% Agree 38.24% Strongly agree 60.78% Total votes 102
36. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of poverty the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: raise the minimum wage for young people aged 16–24 to a national living wage.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 10.78% Agree 38.24% Strongly agree 50.98% Total votes 102
37. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to young people’s health and wellbeing the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: invest in and provide opportunities for all young people to access extra-curricular activities, including sports and the arts, with support and guidance for young people to pursue opportunities that are right for them.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.98% Disagree 8.82% Agree 38.24% Strongly agree 51.96% Total votes 102
Sustainability
Why this is important
38. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to enabling Scotland to lead with integrity, honesty, humility and transparency in a self-sufficient and innovative way the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: reduce waste and unnecessary use of non-biodegradable products and be the first to ban these and become a world leader in this area. This must be accompanied by a consistent approach to recycling throughout the country which minimises pollution and the use of landfill.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.00% Disagree 3.00% Agree 43.00% Strongly agree 53.00% Total votes 100
39. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of how people can contribute to a sustainable future the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: educate the public that we all need to play a role in saving the planet and contributing to a sustainable future. They should raise awareness through an approved government website of the changes people can make (including schemes they can benefit from, support available and behavioural changes).
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.00% Disagree 10.00% Agree 37.00% Strongly agree 51.00% Total votes 100
40. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of protecting the energy that can be produced in Scotland the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: invest in, and incentivise wider investment in, the infrastructure that will enable us to harness our renewable energy resources to their full potential, including improved distribution and storage capacity.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 3.00% Agree 37.00% Strongly agree 60.00% Total votes 100
41. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges facing high streets and the sustainability of Scottish businesses the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: investigate how best to support and give tax breaks to small local businesses who are impacted most by Covid-19, to urgently help them begin to participate in a green recovery and encourage new local business to open with green values.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.00% Disagree 4.00% Agree 42.00% Strongly agree 53.00% Total votes 100
42. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of providing sustainable, affordable housing the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: make it easier and cheaper for people to invest in the energy efficiency of their houses (particularly the upgrading of older houses) by subsidising the costs of eco-friendly building materials for everyone (e.g. VAT reductions, government grants or schemes, or capped pricing) so that it encourages the use of these types of materials.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.00% Disagree 6.00% Agree 33.00% Strongly agree 60.00% Total votes 100
Health and wellbeing
Why this is important
43. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of current ineffective health promotion and education to support people to live healthier the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: A range of support and services should be available to all that need or want them for example cooking skills, exercise classes, healthy lifestyle forums.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.02% Disagree 19.19% Agree 36.36% Strongly agree 42.42% Total votes 99
44. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of NHS's over-dependency on Agency staff, the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: ensure that all NHS staff receive higher wages and enhanced employment packages to facilitate the retention of staff and strengthen recruitment.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.03% Disagree 7.07% Agree 32.32% Strongly agree 57.58% Total votes 99
45. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to ensure that citizens can make informed decisions about the underfunding of health despite 50% of tax going towards it the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: make people more aware of how much the NHS costs them at an individual level and use examples to highlight these costs (such as invoices) to build a sense of value and respect for the service.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.02% Disagree 17.17% Agree 32.32% Strongly agree 48.48% Total votes 99
46. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of dominance of management/business consultants in the NHS the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: ensure that there is a higher proportion of medically trained staff and the inclusion of community members at management/board level.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 11.11% Agree 43.43% Strongly agree 45.45% Total votes 99
47. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of hospitals doing everything and being inaccessible for many the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: create social and minor health care hubs in the community in order to build proactive community resilience but also to reduce the strain on hospitals. These hubs could be available for, for example, Drugs, Alcohol, Smoking, Healthy eating, Physiotherapy, Mental Health groups.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.01% Disagree 6.06% Agree 48.48% Strongly agree 44.44% Total votes 99
48. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of creeping privatisation of the NHS the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: be transparent about contracts or services that are being passed over to private companies.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 2.02% Agree 27.27% Strongly agree 70.71% Total votes 99
49. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of looking after every person in society the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: undertake a root and branch review of public services in order to prioritise good mental health care and holistic wellbeing for every individual through education, awareness, person-centred care and appropriate resourcing.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.01% Disagree 9.09% Agree 44.44% Strongly agree 45.45% Total votes 99
Further powers
Why this is important
50. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to enabling Scotland to lead with integrity, honesty, humility and transparency in a self-sufficient and innovative way the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: have more devolved powers over how the tax system can be made fairer for all citizens and how tax revenue can be used. For example, to become more self-sufficient and have control of industries like fishing and renewable energy, in terms of investment & financial benefits.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.02% Disagree 10.10% Agree 33.33% Strongly agree 54.55% Total votes 99
51. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to a healthy work-life balance the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: investigate the feasibility of a four day working week.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 5.05% Disagree 19.19% Agree 33.33% Strongly agree 42.42% Total votes 99
52. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of Scotland raising more of its own income the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: explore how it can gain greater powers to gather, keep and use more tax income from companies based in Scotland, and from products such as Whisky, Fishing Industries, Oil, Tourism and Energy, etc.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.01% Disagree 10.10% Agree 30.30% Strongly agree 58.59% Total votes 99
53. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of Scotland being restricted in its ability to make trade agreements and develop international relations the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: seek to gain greater powers which would allow us to negotiate and agree our own international and trade relations.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.03% Disagree 14.14% Agree 24.24% Strongly agree 58.59% Total votes 99
54. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to ensure that citizens can make informed decisions in relation to Scotland's diverse community and workforce the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: work and negotiate with the UK government and others to seek to gain maximum control, and be able to manage its own immigration laws and arrangements to the benefit of Scotland and its people.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 4.04% Disagree 9.09% Agree 29.29% Strongly agree 57.58% Total votes 99
Mixed group
Why this is important
55. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to providing equal internet access to all the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: invest in infrastructure (and utilise existing infrastructure) to widen mobile networks and remove black spots, ensuring all communities have access to the internet through free community hot-spots and publicly available hardware. Internet should be considered as a basic need, free to all.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 0.00% Disagree 11.11% Agree 47.47% Strongly agree 41.41% Total votes 99
56. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges in relation to building a truly integrated society which works in the best interest of everyone, ensuring its needs are met ethically, morally and legally by individuals, corporations and government, and these should be supported, protected, nurtured and financed fairly by all, the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: legislate upon clear and simple standards and ways of working (for example, IT and public information systems) to improve collaboration, accessibility and communication locally and nationally, which achieves cost efficiencies, and streamlines services and working practices across both private and public organisations to ensure they are understood by all and run for the benefit of citizens.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.01% Disagree 9.09% Agree 56.57% Strongly agree 33.33% Total votes 99
57. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of unemployment the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: work with Westminster to lower the age of the state pension, ensuring that retiring at state pension age is not enforced by employers.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 3.03% Disagree 10.10% Agree 32.32% Strongly agree 54.55% Total votes 99
58. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to overcome the challenges of building a stronger, fairer and more equal Scotland the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: implement the recommendations of the existing Social Renewal Advisory Board and measure it against the National Performance Framework.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.01% Disagree 18.18% Agree 56.57% Strongly agree 24.24% Total votes 99
59. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to ensure that citizens can make informed decisions in relation to criminal justice reform the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: undertake a full review of the criminal justice system to improve outcomes for communities, offenders and victims. This would include the reintroduction of community policing, involving citizens in improving local communications and services.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 2.02% Disagree 9.09% Agree 37.37% Strongly agree 51.52% Total votes 99
60. The Citizens’ Assembly recommends that in order to enable citizens to make informed decisions in relation to how they self-empower the Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: guarantee free education for life as a right and not a privilege, that vocational studies/life-skills are compulsory beginning at primary school and that apprenticeships are open to all ages including a voluntary national service scheme supporting education, health or other key national services.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 1.01% Disagree 6.06% Agree 34.34% Strongly agree 58.59% Total votes 99
Majority supported
(Recommendations which received more than 50% support)
How decisions are taken
Why this is important
13. The Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: financially invest in national and community libraries and a complementary online library to house all Scottish Government information for the public domain which is easy to search and accessible for all.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 7.77% Disagree 17.48% Agree 38.83% Strongly agree 35.92% Total votes 103
15. The Scottish Government and Parliament should:
Action required: ethically invest in our society by ensuring everyone has a central bank account provided at birth for every citizen (for example, £1000 which cannot be spent until you reach a certain age) contributed to on a regular basis throughout a citizen’s lifetime by means of a Universal Basic Income, which provides a real living income to ensure people don’t worry about food, living costs and creates our own model of working by blending our own ideas with the best tried and tested methods from other countries.
Voting results: Strongly Disagree 8.74% Disagree 27.18% Agree 25.24% Strongly agree 38.83% Total votes 103