Lanarkshire MSP calls for end to "woke obsession" in the public sector
A Freedom of Information response from the Scottish Government reveals that they are spending almost £4 million a year on 'woke' jobs in the public sector.
Central Scotland MSP Meghan Gallacher says it is time to 'end the obsession with fringe woke issues in the public sector'.
The Tory MSP believes the focus should be on delivering frontline services, as she backed her party's proposals which would ban new roles in the public sector that are exclusively focused on equality, diversity and inclusion.
A Freedom of Information response from the Scottish Government reveals that they are spending almost £4 million a year on 'woke' jobs in the public sector.
Meghan has accused the SNP of aiming to impose their gender ideology across the public sector, which resulted in the outrage of a rapist being housed in a women's prison.
She said: 'Frontline services in Central Scotland are under huge strain, yet the SNP are still squandering millions on unnecessary jobs.
'We believe it is time to stop funding roles with equality, diversity and inclusion in the title and fund frontline services instead.
'The SNP have spent far too long trying to impose their gender ideology across the whole public sector in Central Scotland, which resulted in the grotesque outrage of a rapist being housed in a women's prison.
'The Scottish Conservatives would end the production of guidance documents which focus on fringe obsessions like gender identity, as well as cracking down on the lobbying powers of taxpayer-funded organisations.
'All too often their lobbying of SNP ministers results in policy changes which are not in the interests of people in Central Scotland or in some cases unlawful.
'The SNP are squandering too much money on these issues when local NHS services, our schools and policing are under huge strain and we need that approach to urgently change.'
The Scottish Tories said they would ban public sector roles focused on equality, diversity and inclusion, with this cash being used to fund frontline public service roles in schools, NHS and the police, with staff already employed this way moved elsewhere.
The party would also end the production of guidance documents related to 'gender identity' or 'trans' issues, freeing up staff.
A Scottish Government spokesman said: 'Diversity, equality and inclusion roles exist to ensure fairness, tackle discrimination and help build a Scotland where everyone has the opportunity to thrive.
'This government is proud to stand up for a more equal society and to protect the rights all those who call Scotland their home. The Scottish Government funds bodies to deliver services and not to fund lobbying.'
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