A consultation on the provision of specialist residential chronic pain services in Scotland

Annex C Equality Impact Assessment/Business Regulatory Impact Assessment

Equality Impact Assessment Information

The public sector equality duties require the Scottish Government to pay "due regard" to the need to:

• eliminate discrimination, victimisation, harassment or other unlawful conduct that is prohibited under the Equality Act 2010;
• advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not;
• foster good relations between people who share a relevant protected characteristic.

These three requirements apply across the "protected characteristics" of age; disability; gender reassignment; pregnancy and maternity; race; religion and belief; sex and sexual orientation.

In effect, this means that equality considerations are integrated into all functions and policies of Scottish Government Directorates and Agencies.

A key part of these duties is to assess the impact of all of our policies to ensure that the Scottish Government do not inadvertently create a negative impact for equality groups, and also to ensure that the Scottish Government actively seek the opportunity to promote equality of opportunity and to foster good relations.

Business Regulatory Impact Assessment Information

The Scottish Government welcomes your feedback regarding the equalities impact of the proposals presented in this paper, and the effect they may have on different sectors of the population.

The Scottish Government is committed to consulting with all parties potentially affected by proposals for new legislation, or where any regulation is being changed significantly. All policy changes, whether European or domestic, which may have an impact upon business or the third sector organisations should be accompanied by a Business Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA).

The BRIA helps policy makers to use available evidence to find proposals that best achieve the policy objectives, whilst minimising costs and burdens. Through consultation and engagement with business, the costs and benefits of the proposed legislation can be analysed. It also ensures that any impact on business, particularly small enterprises, is fully considered before regulations are made.

The Scottish Government welcomes your views regarding the impact that the proposals presented in this paper may have on businesses.