Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020 - accredited body fees and discounting proposals: draft island communities impact assessment

3. Step Two – gather your data and identify your stakeholders

3.1 What data is available about the current situation in the islands?

Analysis of the Annual Population Survey 2019, Scottish Government (2021b) (using the Scottish Government Urban Rural Classification)^[2] shows that the employment rates are higher for all age groups and genders in rural areas compared to the rest of Scotland. Within rural areas, accessible rural areas have the highest employment rates for all sub-groups, apart from males aged 16 to 64 where the employment rate is higher in remote rural areas.

High employment rates do not necessarily suggest that there are lower rates of poverty in rural Scotland. Indeed, factors such as rates of pay and patterns of employment can contribute to in-work poverty. A Scottish Government (2021e) report estimates that the minimum cost of living in remote rural Scotland is between 15% and 30% higher than urban parts of the UK. The research suggests that this is on account of significant additional costs, such as food, clothing, household goods and holidays. The cost of travel, however, was identified as the dominant extra cost. It is likely, therefore, that households in remote rural Scotland require a higher income to attain the same minimum living standard as those living elsewhere in the UK. This increased through 2022 due to the cost crisis, particularly fuel costs in island communities.

A range of work is being undertaken by the Scottish Government to address the challenges that people in island communities face. For example the Islands Strategic Group was established in August 2016. The group considers strategic issues affecting the island communities of Scotland, and to ensure greater involvement of the relevant councils in helping to identify and design solutions to the unique needs and challenges these communities face.

People living in islands and remote areas are marginally more likely (32.9%) than those living in Scotland as a whole (30.9%) to be working in public administration, education and health. These roles are more likely to require a Level 1 or Level 2 with PVG disclosure. They are less likely (11%) than people living in Scotland as a whole (16%) to be working in banking and finance, roles more likely to require a Level 2 disclosure.^[3]

Volunteering is more common among those living in rural areas. 33% of those living in remote rural areas had volunteered, compared with 24% of those living in large urban areas. Volunteers living in remote rural or accessible rural areas were more likely to volunteer for local community or neighbourhood organisations/groups (40% and 32% respectively) than the average for all of Scotland (22%).^[4]

On the whole, people living in island communities are not significantly more likely to need to access disclosure services than people living elsewhere in Scotland. They are more likely to volunteer, however, these roles are broadly covered by the fee waiver for qualifying voluntary organisations. This is a benefit to island communities over urban areas.

In relation to new accredited bodies resulting from the registration of organisations receiving Level 1 disclosures, none are identified as having an office address registered on an island.

3.2 Do you need to consult?

Yes.

3.3 How does any existing data differ between islands?

No relevant data.

3.4 Are there any existing design features or mitigations in place?

None required.