Coronavirus (COVID-19) Highest Risk (formerly Shielding) List end: equality and fairer Scotland impact assessment

1. Introduction

1.1 This paper sets out an assessment of any differential impact on each of the protected characteristics of the decision to end Scotland's Covid Highest Risk List, formerly the Shielding List. It also considers any possible inequality of outcomes of the policy due to socio-economic differences. This assessment also outlines the actions and measures that have been or will be put in place to mitigate or eliminate any negative impacts that have been identified, in line with the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty and the Fairer Scotland Duty. The Scottish Government is mindful of the three needs of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) - eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation, advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not, and foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. Where any negative impacts have been identified, we have sought to mitigate/eliminate these. We are also mindful that the equality duty is not just about negating or mitigating negative impacts, as we also have a positive duty to promote equality. We have sought to do this by engaging with people on the Highest Risk List, throughout the pandemic, to shape the support and guidance available.