Bankruptcy and Diligence (Scotland) Bill: island communities impact assessment - screening

Recommendation

62. A full Islands Community Impact Assessment is NOT required.

63. In preparing the Island Communities Impact Assessment, I have formed an opinion that our policy or strategy is NOT likely to have an effect on an island community which is NOT significantly different from its effect on other communities (including other island communities). The reason for this is detailed below.

Mental Health Moratorium

64. The Bill will introduce an enabling power allowing the Scottish Ministers to introduce regulations creating a mental health moratorium. These provisions alone do not have an immediate effect on the island communities which is significantly different from the effect on other communities. Any such effect would come at the point of regulations being made under the powers contained within the Bill. The impact on the island communities and whether any additional consultation is required will be considered further as the regulations progress.

Minor or technical amendments to bankruptcy legislation

65. As the data provided confirms, bankruptcy levels in the island communities do not differ greatly from other communities. The provisions within the Bill are solely technical amendments to bankruptcy legislation which will apply equally to all parties and will not differ between the island communities and the rest of Scotland.

Diligence provisions

66. The provisions within the Bill will amend diligence legislation which will apply equally to all parties and will not differ between the island communities and the rest of Scotland. The diligence amendments are not markedly negative or unique to islands communities.