FOI 25-199 'Gender Resassignment' Data Gathering
Freedom of Information Request
- Reference
- FOI 25-199 'Gender Resassignment' Data Gathering
- Request Date
- 08 May 2025
- Response Date
- 21 May 2025
- Information Requested
I am writing to request information from the Board within the context provided by the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002. My request is in relation to data the Board’s function as an employer is required to gather, use and publish on the protected characteristics of employees, as set out in the Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) (Scotland) Regulations 2012, as amended, and specifically in relation to the protected characteristic of ‘gender reassignment’ [commonly described as ‘trans]. In this connection I ask that you provide me with the precise text of the question [and any sub-clauses to it] put to employees and from which the Board extracts and publishes the data on the protected characteristic of ‘gender reassignment’ [or ‘trans’], including the overall number and any sub-sets for the most recent year data has been gathered.
In addition and in the Board’s function as a service provider, where the Board gathers data on service users to evidence meeting the general equality duty of the Equality Act 2020 and eliminating discrimination in the provision of services, I ask about data gathered specifically in relation to the protected characteristic of ‘gender reassignment’ [commonly described as ‘trans]. In this connection I ask that you provide me with the precise text of the question [and any sub-clauses to it] put to service users and from which the Board extracts data and publishes the data to evidence the absence of discrimination, on the protected characteristic of ‘gender reassignment’ [or ‘trans’], including the overall number and any sub-sets. Should any aspect of this request be unclear, please contact me for clarification.
- Response
The Scottish Ambulance Service gathers information on protected characteristics via vacancy application forms or self-declaration from staff.
These are reported in our Equality Monitoring Report which is available on our external website Equality and Diversity Publications. It is for this reason we have applied section 25 of the Freedom of Information Scotland Act 2002, as information which is accessible by other means.
The Workforce Equality Monitoring report for 2024/25 has been exempt under section 40 of the Freedom of information Scotland Act 2002, Audit Functions. This exemption applies if its disclosure under this Act would, or would likely to, prejudice substantially the exercise of the Scottish Ambulance Services functions in relation to the audit of the accounts. The 2024/25 report is due for publication in September of 2025.
Currently the figures for ‘gender reassignment’ or those identified as ‘Transgendered’ are too low to report on. Under data protection, the Scottish Ambulance Service has a duty of care to avoid releasing information that could make individuals identifiable.
