The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR)

The International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (ICESCR) commits all State parties to protect the economic, social and cultural rights of all individuals. It was adopted in 1966 and entered into force in 1976. The UK ratified ICESCR on 20 May 1976.

ICESCR protects the right to:

  • an adequate standard of living;
  • highest attainable standard of physical and mental health;
  • education;
  • social security;
  • work and fair treatment at work.

It sets out the principle of “progressive realisation” which underpins the whole Covenant.

ICESCR, when combined with the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR), makes up what is referred to as the International Bill of Human Rights. There are currently 26 General Comments which clarify the scope and content of ICESCR’s provisions.

State parties are obliged to produce reports to the Committee which outline progress and legislative, judicial and policy measures taken to fulfil their obligations under the Convention. Each State is expected to submit a report approximately two years after consenting to the Convention and then every five years thereafter, or otherwise as directed by the Committee.

The UK completed its most recent review cycle in 2025

As part of the recent review cycle, the UK government submitted its 7th periodic report in June 2022. The Scottish Government also submitted a Position Statement in November 2022, setting out action taken in devolved areas to implement ICESCR in Scotland.

The Committee on Economic Social and Cultural Rights produced a List of Issues in March 2023 to inform the review. The UK Government replied to the List of Issues in August 2024 and an Interactive Dialogue was held in Geneva in February 2025.  The Committee published its Concluding Observations in March 2025.

The state is required to produce follow-up information on its implementation of certain key recommendations within 24 months and it’s next full state report is due in March 2030.

NHRI Engagement

 In order to support the UK review of ICESCR, the Commission undertakes a number of activities, including:

  1.  Capacity building and consultation ‎with Civil Society to prepare an NHRI report to inform the List of Issues.
  2. Submission of a parallel report (in Word, PDF, or Easy Read format) in January 2025 to inform the review.
  3. Provide oral evidence to the Committee for the List of Issues and as part of UK State Review
  4. Meet with the Committee members‎ and/or country rapporteur 
  5. Meet the UK and Scottish Government representatives before and after the review in Geneva.
  6. Attend evidence sessions in the Scottish Parliament on implementation of the Concluding Observations.
  7. Monitor the implementation of recommendations between cycles.

Civil Society Engagement

 Civil society has the potential to engage with this treaty in a number of ways:

  1. Submitting written information to the Committee
  2. Submitting an alternative report
  3. Providing information for the list of issues
  4. Attending Sessions and Making Oral Submissions to the Committee

 There was strong civil society representation at the most recent review.

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