Scotland's National Strategy for Economic Transformation – Programme 3: Productive Businesses and Regions Equality Impact Assessment (Record and Results)

Stage 1: Framing

Results of framing exercise

The framing stage of this Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) has been informed by the individual EQIAs, which have been carried out on an action level, and also by information gathered through the stakeholder consultation process during the development of the NSET Equality Position Statement,^[3] published in March 2022.

A number of EQIAs relevant to the actions of Programme 3 have been cited in this EQIA and have acted as the basis for further consideration of the impact of the wider Programme 3 upon people with protected characteristics.

Extent/Level of EQIA required

In order to determine the potential equality impact of Programme 3 of the NSET, this EQIA was carried out at a project level. Building upon the equality assessments carried out for the NSET as a whole, an audit of considerations taken at an action level was carried out. This was combined with a review of equality issues using the Scottish Government's Equality Evidence Finder.^[4]

As NSET is a 10 year strategy, specific policy interventions are yet to be developed for a number of the actions within Programme 3. However, as policy develops, EQIAs will be undertaken - and reviewed - to ensure that the specific barriers for each of the protected characteristics are fully considered.

Where an EQIA exists, this will be kept under regular review as new data and evidence emerges to monitor the impact of the Programme 3 on people with protected characteristics and to make any adjustments to the policy in line with the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).

Specifically, this EQIA assesses any impacts of applying a proposed new or revised policy or practice against the needs relevant to a public authority's duty to meet the PSED.

The needs are to:

• Eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation;
• Advance equality of opportunity; and
• Foster good relations.