Agriculture and Rural Communities (Scotland) Bill - Fairer Scotland Duty Assessment

Stage 4 – Decision

What changes, if any, will be made to the proposal as a result of the assessment? Why are these changes being made and what are the expected outcomes?

As result of this assessment there will be no changes made to the proposal.

The Bill does not go into definitions, schemes, or budgetary allocations (as these key policy elements will be determined during the implementation phase. It will not have any impact (either positive or negative) on existing inequalities or socio-economic disadvantages. There will where appropriate be engagement with stakeholders and consideration of the detail of those particular changes in light of the Fairer Scotland Duty.

This engagement could therefore be an opportunity to test out ways in which current inequalities could be addressed, however further consideration will be required to determine what form engagement might take, hence little detail about this is being released into the public domain at the moment.

Overall, it is not anticipated that any changes will be made as a result of this assessment in relation to the relevant policy areas listed in Step 1.

The Bill introduces empowering provisions to offer financial support to businesses for various specified purposes, including responding to exceptional or unforeseen circumstances in the sector. These powers already encompass benefits to the broader community by supporting businesses that contribute to economic stability, growth, and job creation.

The powers in the Bill will enable the Scottish Ministers to enforce, monitor, and evaluate progress toward achieving the objectives of the bill and the Vision.

Successful attainment of the bill and Vision objectives is expected to positively impact businesses eligible for support, subsequently benefiting the broader community through potential economic stability, growth, and job opportunities. The impact on the broader community may also include alleviating socio-economic disadvantages. These powers should facilitate the realization of benefits to the broader community by supporting businesses that contribute to economic stability, growth, and job creation.

The powers related to relevant policy areas are broad enabling powers that, on their own, will not have either a negative or positive impact. The bill comprises broadly framed empowering provisions that do not have specific impacts themselves. Appropriate assessments will be conducted for secondary legislation.

Sign off of the Fairer Scotland Assessment

Name: Mairi Gougeon

Job title: Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs, Land Reform and Islands