Circular Economy (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment

Stage 2: Data and evidence gathering, involvement and consultation

Characteristic^[7]: Age

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Littering-related proposals: Young people are considered slightly more likely to litter, but no group can be considered responsible for the majority of litter^[8].

Evidence gaps likely exist where there is no published information on the impacts. Engagement with organisations representing people of different ages via the consultation may identify more impacts. However, further EQIAs will also be undertaken as needed at the point that proposals for secondary legislation are being developed. Care should be taken to ensure communications relating to proposals should be carried out effectively, including to protected groups

We are not aware of further relevant existing evidence at this time on age for the remainder of the policy proposals.

Littering -related proposals: People aged between 16 to 24 are more likely (35%) to report neighbourhood littering as very common or common, compared to 27% for those aged 60 to 74. The evidence suggests that litter is a social problem that particularly affects young people's perceptions of their own neighbourhood. Measures that could reduce littering may therefore be beneficial for young people^[9].

Littering and flytipping-related proposals: People aged between 16 to 24 are more likely to be in relative poverty after housing costs than older adults, so may face more challenges paying fines^[10].

Charges for environmentally harmful items: Young people expressed concern about the potential for this to result in price rises^[11].

Characteristic: Disability

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Charging for environmentally harmful items and litter-related proposals: Life costs £583/month more on average if you are disabled. On average, £100 for a non-disabled person is equivalent to £68 for a disabled person. This may mean that any increase in cost of living is more challenging to manage^[12].

Evidence gaps likely exist where there is no published information on the impacts. Further EQIAs will be undertaken as needed at the point that proposals for secondary legislation are being developed.

In particular, the accessibility of recycling options may need to be considered, to ensure that disabled people are able to benefit from improved recycling services.

We are not aware of further relevant existing evidence at this time on disability for the remainder of the policy proposals.

Charging for environmentally harmful items and litter-related proposals: In 2016-19, the poverty rate after housing costs for people in families with a disabled person was 23%. This compares with 17% of people in a family without a disabled person^[13].

Charging for environmentally harmful items: Disabled people can face barriers to making more sustainable choices, because of affordability, mobility or needs such as the reliance on medical equipment^[14].

Charging for environmentally harmful items: The EQIA for the introduction of market restrictions for single-use plastic items has highlighted that single-use plastic drinking straws are an essential item for some disabled people. When items are considered for the introduction of secondary legislation, the suitability of alternatives for disabled people will need to be considered^[15].

Seizure of vehicles involved in waste crime: Vehicles seized using these powers in England are generally industrial or commercial in nature (for example vans, tippers, excavators and loaders). It is therefore not anticipated that the introduction of these powers would have any impact on the mobility of disabled people^[16].

Characteristic: Sex

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Charging for environmentally harmful items and litter and flytipping-related proposals: The median gender pay gap for all employees, including full and part-time employees was 10.9% in Scotland in 2021. However, pay and employment gaps are wider for women with another protected characteristic. This may mean that any increase in cost of living is more challenging to manage^[17].

Evidence gaps likely exist where there is no published information on the impacts. Engagement with gender representatives via the consultation may identify more impacts. However, further EQIAs will also be undertaken as needed at the point that proposals for secondary legislation are being developed.

We are not aware of further relevant existing evidence at this time on sex for the remainder of the policy proposals.

Charging for environmentally harmful items and litter and flytipping-related proposals: Relative poverty rates are highest for single women with children. This may mean that any increase in cost of living is more challenging to manage^[18].

Characteristic: Pregnancy And Maternity

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Not applicable

Evidence gaps likely exist where there is no published information on the impacts. Engagement with relevant representatives via the consultation may identify more impacts. However, further EQIAs will also be undertaken as needed at the point that proposals for secondary legislation are being developed.

We are not aware of any relevant existing evidence at this time on pregnancy and maternity in relation to the items included in the policy.

Characteristic: Gender Reassignment

Not applicable

Evidence gaps likely exist where there is no published information on the impacts. Engagement with relevant representatives via the consultation may identify more impacts. However, further EQIAs will also be undertaken as needed at the point that proposals for secondary legislation are being developed.

We are not aware of any relevant existing evidence at this time on gender reassignment in relation to the items included in the policy.

Characteristic: Sexual Orientation

Not applicable

Evidence gaps likely exist where there is no published information on the impacts. Engagement with relevant representatives via the consultation may identify more impacts. However, further EQIAs will also be undertaken as needed at the point that proposals for secondary legislation are being developed.

We are not aware of any relevant existing evidence at this time on sexual orientation in relation to the items included in the policy.

Characteristic: Race

Not applicable

Evidence gaps likely exist where there is no published information on the impacts. Further EQIAs will also be undertaken as needed at the point that proposals for secondary legislation are being developed.

We are not aware of any relevant existing evidence at this time on race in relation to the items included in the policy, however a response to the CE Bill consultation suggested the potential of adverse impacts by the proposal relating to the seizure of Vehicles. Further evidence gathering will be undertaken as secondary legislation is progressed.

Characteristic: Religion Or Belief

Not applicable

Evidence gaps likely exist where there is no published information on the impacts. Engagement with relevant representatives via the consultation may identify more impacts. However, further EQIAs will also be undertaken as needed at the point that proposals for secondary legislation are being developed.

We are not aware of any relevant existing evidence at this time on religion or belief in relation to the items included in the policy.

Characteristic: Marriage And Civil Partnership

Not applicable

(the Scottish Government does not require assessment against this protected characteristic unless the policy or practice relates to work, for example HR policies and practices - refer to Definitions of Protected Characteristics document for details) This policy does not relate to work, so it is not necessary to assess the impact on marriage and civil partnership.