We shared how Scotland's "council tax system is unfair, outdated, and badly in need of reform." Our research shows that it impacts those on low incomes most – which women are more likely to be. Read the complete article below: www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/politic...

Swinney told to 'get finger out' and reform Council Tax after Burnham 'wobble'

EXCLUSIVE: A senior trade unionist warned Scots workers were being "failed" by politicians who refuse to meaningfully change the "regressive" council tax system.

dailyrecord.co.uk

Scottish Women’s Budget Group is on a mission to make women visible in Scotland’s budgets – at local and national levels. We do this by supporting the use of gender budgeting across Scotland. Without this, women’s inequality remains in budgets. 1/2

Help shape the 2027 Scottish Budget. The SWBG want members to have the opportunity to share their ideas and help shape the Pre-budget Scrutiny. Join us as we facilitate a discussion about how budget decisions affect women and other groups, using gender budgeting tools.

A key element of gender budgeting is providing opportunities for the public, particularly women, to participate in the budget process. In our latest blog, we outline what the Scottish Budget is and how you can become involved: www.swbg.org.uk/news/blog/un... 1/3

Women should be part of decisions about the Scottish Budget. But our 2026 Women's Survey (830 responses) found that only 30% of respondents knew about opportunities to engage with the Scottish Budget at a national level. swbg.org.uk/content/publications/SWBG-Budget-Process-Briefing.pdf 1/3

This important report by Engender, highlights that "sexism, misogyny and gender-based violence are part of the everyday reality of being a woman councillor" and how the need for systemic change is urgent.

Engender@engenderscot.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Today we’ve launch new research on the endemic sexism, misogyny & gender-based violence that 90% of women councillors in Scotland are experiencing. The is completely unacceptable. Find our summary and full report here - www.engender.org.uk/news/blog/ni...

Scotland’s expansion of funded Early Learning and Childcare has improved access for many families But our latest report, Policy Ambition to Implementation, finds significant challenges continue to limit its transformative potential, particularly for families on low incomes 1/4

Scotland needs a fair tax system that better funds public services and care work. Women, disabled people, those on low incomes and people from black and ethnic minority communities are disproportionately impacted by unpaid and undervalued care work. 1/3

As members of #TaxJusticeScotland, we’re calling on the First Minister to better tax wealth. Replace Council Tax and accelerate the private jet tax. Fairer tax is key to a fairer/greener/more prosperous Scotland. 1/2

As part of #TaxJusticeScotland we're calling on the First Minister to take practical steps to make the tax system fairer: • replace Council Tax with a fairer system • accelerate the introduction of a strong private jet tax Those with the most wealth should pay their fair share bit.ly/TJSFMLetter

The National@scotnational.bsky.social · 2mo ago

Scotland's new government must replace the council tax and introduce a levy on private jets or 'risk failing on poverty, public services and climate action', campaigners have told the First Minister

SWBG share how the expansion of childcare is vital for advancing women’s equality, but why the current delivery ELC isn’t working for everyone and what needs to be addressed. Read the complete article by clicking the link below. 1/2

Better care policies will reduce women’s inequality. In our 2026 women’s survey, over 850 women told us that they agreed. Why? Because affordable childcare supports more women to work, helping them gain financial stability, improve wellbeing and reduce inequality. 1/4

Abderdeen Voices, developed by Station House Media Unit (SHMU), challenges the stigma of poverty through conversations with people with lived experience. The Scottish Women’s Budget Group worked with SHMU to highlight women’s experiences of poverty in Aberdeen, including 1/2

Following the Scottish Election, the SWBG, will continue campaigning for women’s economic equality, pushing for reform in care, gender budgeting and more. swbg.org.uk/content/get-involved

We’ve just heard back from some of the political parties competing for your vote on 7 May. Visit our website to find out what they said on care, gender bias in healthcare, the cost of living and more. swbg.org.uk/news/blog/questions-for-parties-ahead-of-the-scottish-parliament-election/

SWBG blog | Questions for Political Parties Ahead of the Scottish Parliament Election + Their Answers

swbg.org.uk

Scottish Women's Budget Group@swbg.bsky.social · 3mo ago

2 of the major political parties have responded to questions developed by you on issues around care to the cost of living. We’ll be sharing any other responses that we receive. We hope these responses will help inform you during the election. swbg.org.uk/blog

2 of the major political parties have responded to questions developed by you on issues around care to the cost of living. We’ll be sharing any other responses that we receive. We hope these responses will help inform you during the election. swbg.org.uk/blog

The SWBG has been working with women across Scotland, increasing their knowledge of the ‘economy’, economic policy and public finance processes in Scotland. 1/2

Our annual women's survey has now closed. Over the next few weeks, we’ll be analysing the data – a complete report will be released soon. Sign up to our newsletter for the latest updates on this and more: www.swbg.org.uk/content/mail...

Mailing list

swbg.org.uk

Scottish Women's Budget Group@swbg.bsky.social · 5mo ago

The SWBG survey gathers key evidence on how economic policies affect women. As well as recommending important changes. Make sure your voice is included: smartsurvey.co.uk/s/7LPU68/

The Scottish Parliament Election is approaching, and voting registration closes in just 4 days. Register to vote, here: gov.uk/register-to-... 1/2

SWBG has been conducting a gender budgeting analysis to understand funded ELC – researching how we make the system work for those on low incomes. Our latest briefing calls on all parties to commit to action on ELC: swbg.org.uk/content/publications/

Do you deliver Early Learning & Childcare? We’re inviting workers who deliver funded Early Learning and Childcare (ELC) to share their experiences of working in the sector. Complete the survey by clicking the link in our bio: smartsurvey.co.uk/s/C0W8CP/

How are finances and caring responsibilities affecting women's lives? Let us know by completing the women's survey before it closes next week. Findings will be presented to elected officials, offering important evidence and helping to inform policies for a fairer, more equal Scotland.

Scottish Women's Budget Group@swbg.bsky.social · 5mo ago

The SWBG survey gathers key evidence on how economic policies affect women. As well as recommending important changes. Make sure your voice is included: smartsurvey.co.uk/s/7LPU68/

The SWBG survey gathers key evidence on how economic policies affect women. As well as recommending important changes. Make sure your voice is included: smartsurvey.co.uk/s/7LPU68/

Scottish Women's Budget Group Women's Survey 2026

Please take the time to complete our survey. Your feedback is important.

smartsurvey.co.uk

Scottish Women's Budget Group@swbg.bsky.social · 5mo ago

SWBG's 2026 Survey is live! We're researching women's finances and care responsibilities. Plus, we want to hear women’s priorities on devolved policy and the Scottish budget. Help us show how economic policies affect women and what needs to change. smartsurvey.co.uk/s/7LPU68/

In this article, SWBG's Training Lead, Heather, speaks about some of the causes of economic inequality between men and women, which further impact women who experience economic abuse from their partners. www.holyrood.com/inside-polit...

Pulling the purse strings: The women enduring economic abuse from their partners

The 1975 Sex Discrimination Act may have equalised the sexes in the eyes of the law, but practical equality and fighting...

holyrood.com

SWBG's 2026 Survey is live! We're researching women's finances and care responsibilities. Plus, we want to hear women’s priorities on devolved policy and the Scottish budget. Help us show how economic policies affect women and what needs to change. smartsurvey.co.uk/s/7LPU68/

How can the next Scottish Parliament strengthen Scotland's role as a #FairTradeNation? Join us in Edinburgh or online on 8th April for Scotland’s flagship National Food Debate, to hear directly from political parties on this topic and much more bit.ly/49E4CWI #ScotlandsNationalFoodDebate

We welcome reforms to Council Tax, working towards a fairer system. Research shows that women carry out the majority of unpaid care work and are more likely to rely on public services – making how we fund local government a deeply gendered issue. taxjustice.scot/blog/five-ti...

Five times as many Scots support urgent Council Tax reform as oppose it - Tax Justice Scotland

Scotland’s political leaders are under intense pressure to replace the outdated and unfair Council Tax system.

taxjustice.scot

At our latest workshop with the Women's Economic Empowerment Group, we discussed the Draft Scottish Budget and whether the needs of women were reflected in the budget decisions. What are your thoughts on the Scottish Budget? Let us know below. 💭 www.swbg.org.uk/news/blog/wo...

We've unpacked the gendered impact of Council Tax in Scotland. As well as outlining key recommendations for political parties and local authorities. You can find the complete report on our website: swbg.org.uk/content/publ...

Today we launch our Manifesto for the 2026 elections. Our 4 priorities are: - Review childcare delivery models - Empower parents & carers - Recognise that childcare is crucial for economic growth - Value the childcare workforce Find out more https://www.fcss.org.uk/news/fcss-2026-manifesto/