An SNP-run council which claims to be locked in a cash crisis and is considering hiking local taxes is set to enrol staff on ‘woke’ unconscious bias training (UBT) courses. The Mail has the story.
Town hall chiefs in Argyll and Bute could ask staff to learn about politically correct causes such as white privilege and toxic masculinity in a move critics fear is a distraction from their actual jobs.
It comes as the council estimates it is facing a £9million budget black hole for next year and is seeking to raise council tax by at least five per cent to pay for it.
The Scottish Government last week lifted a council tax freeze allowing local authorities to hike rates as high as they see fit.
Next month, Argyll and Bute will also take a decision on whether to impose a visitor levy to help rake in more funds.
Yet despite swingeing tax rises, bosses are planning to shell out on a cadre of trainers to challenge its staff members’ unknown biases in relation to minority or protected groups, according to procurement notices seen by this newspaper.
Last night, director of the Free Speech Union in Scotland, Fraser Hudghton said: ‘Unconscious bias training is the preferred means of the woke Stasi to get us all confessing what terrible beings we are.
‘The problem is it’s a lot of garbage and only increases prejudice where previously there was none.’
Tory MSP Alexander Stewart said: ‘SNP-led Argyll and Bute Council should be upfront as to why they think spending money in this way is a priority.’
UBT is designed to change attitudes towards groups who suffer discrimination. However, some evidence suggests it may be ineffective – and even reinforce harmful stereotypes.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission found ‘there is potential for back-firing effects when participants are exposed to information that suggests stereotypes and biases are unchangeable’.
Argyll and Bute Council said: ‘We are exploring options for training in a number of areas and no decision has been taken yet.’
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