Expenditure in Relation to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
FOI reference: FOI26/27 003
Date received: 22/04/2026
Date responded: 21/05/2026
Information requested
Under the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002, I request the following information regarding Scottish Qualifications Authority (Qualifications Scotland):
Given recent reporting of budgetary pressures, I seek further detail on organisational expenditure, specifically in relation to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
Please provide:
1. The date on which any EDI function, team, or equivalent capability was formally established within the organisation (including any predecessor structures if applicable).
2. The current number of staff assigned to EDI-related roles, including whether these posts are permanent, fixed-term, or part of a temporary/project-based structure.
3. The total annual cost associated with EDI, including combined staff salaries, operational budgets, and any allocated programme funding.
4. Annual expenditure on EDI-related training, initiatives, and programmes for staff for each financial year from 2018 to the most recent available period, and any currently approved future budget allocations.
5. The organisation’s most recent assessed overall funding position, including any reported or forecast budget shortfall.
Where possible, please provide the information in electronic format.
Response
The first EDI post was established on 14 February 2011
There are 14 permanent roles. These posts include a range of responsibilities such as equality, children’s rights, corporate parenting, accessibility, qualifications and policy development as well as all reward functions.
The total combined staff salaries is £689,284. This figure is for the 14 permanent staff mentioned in QU2. There was also an operational spend of £34k.
Annual expenditure on EDI-related training, initiatives, and programmes for staff for each financial year from 2018 to the most recent available period, and any currently approved future budget allocations. The information is contained in the spreadsheets attached - EDI FOI QU4
The information is contained within the attached extract, Financial Performance 2024-2025, from the SQA Annual Report and Accounts. This can be accessed using the following link.
Documents:
Financial Performance 2024 -25 (17 KB)
EDI FOI Qu4 (9 KB)