Publication - Impact assessment
Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill: business and regulatory impact assessment
Business and regulatory impact assessment (BRIA) for the Abortion Services (Safe Access Zones) (Scotland) Bill.
Summary and Recommendation
Having conducted analysis of the options outlined above, and more fully set out in the Policy Memorandum, it was concluded that only legislation introducing safe access zones could deliver adequate protection for both service users and providers.
Option 3 has the advantage of clarity for all relevant groups, and would particularly provide certainty to service users and providers that there is a minimum level of protection that applies across the country. In so doing, it would resolve the disadvantages inherent in the alternative options.
| Option | Total benefit per annum: - economic, environmental, social | Total cost per annum: - economic, environmental, social - policy and administrative |
|---|---|---|
| 1 – Use of local authority byelaws |
|
Use of byelaws would require considerable resources from local authorities. Costs for establishment and maintenance of orders is difficult to estimate; though as noted above, stakeholder engagement with Counsels in England have indicated costs have been significant. Costs of defending legal challenge alone for Ealing Counsel were approximately £144,000 |
| 2 – Rely on existing legislation |
|
No cost |
| 3- use of mediation and enhanced guidance |
|
£20,000 - £50,000 for mediation services |
| 4A & 4B – Application model |
|
£5000 one off cost for implementation With additional costs for prosecution expected to be between £65,400 - £196,200 per annum |
| 5 – Create automatic safe access zones |
|
£5000 one off cost for implementation With additional costs for prosecution expected to be between £65,400 - £196,200 per annum |
Contact
Email: abortionteam@gov.scot
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