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Publication - Impact assessment

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

Published
31 October 2022
From
Director of Economic Development
Directorate
Economic Development Directorate
Topic
Business, industry and innovation, Communities and third sector, Economy, +1 more … Public sector
ISBN
9781805251361

Summary of results for the Equality Impact Assessment (EQIA) undertaken to consider the impacts on equality of Programme 3 of Scotland’s National Strategy for Economic Transformation.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Stage 2: Data and evidence gathering, involvement and consultation

Age – Project 8[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • In previous EQIAs conducted into improving Scotland's transport systems it has been shown that older people are more likely to use public transport for journeys in comparison to other age groups. These have also highlighted accessibility issues being more likely to affect older people than other age groups, with some older people having limited mobility, hearing or vision impairments, difficulties in understanding information or accessing digital resources, and difficulties in alighting to and from transport services, using station facilities or standing for long periods of time.
  • The key factors affecting the ability of children and young people to access transport options are their socio-economic background, geographical location and the accessibility and safety of public transport and active travel facilities available. The ability to access safe, convenient and cost-effective transport, in turn, has an impact on access to education, public services and economic opportunities, particularly for children from deprived socio-economic backgrounds.
  • In previous EQIAs conducted into digital development it has been noted that evidence exists to suggest that older people are less likely to use the internet and digital devices than younger people, and when they do they can sometimes be less confident, meaning they don't always benefit to the same degree. However, evidence is emerging that older people have grown more familiar with some elements of technology in recent years.
  • Internet usage in that demographic is rising, with recent figures from 2020 showing 66% of over 60s use the internet compared to only 29% in 2007.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Evidence shows that affordability is a key barrier for many groups to accessing transport. Interventions should be developed with affordability considerations for those from protected characteristic groups. This includes payment methods and associated costs of travel (for example, costs of maintaining bikes).
  • The Scottish Government is working to deliver broadband coverage for all residents of Scotland. This will ensure that those who had not previously been online will have the resources to do so.
  • The Scottish Government is building on the Connecting Scotland programme in order to ensure that everyone, regardless of age, has access to equipment and digital skills training. This will assist in reducing the digital skills gap that is currently seen most in those over the age of 65.

Age – Project 9[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Scotland has an ageing population. Scotland's population is increasing and older people represent a growing share. People are also working into older ages
  • Those aged over 50 face employment barriers in three key areas: communities; access to services; and financial security. Ageism, exclusion and lack of willingness to recognise the skills and experience of the older workforce also present employment barriers for this group.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • To promote ongoing employment and address employment barriers for older people there is a need for access to, and increased awareness of, flexible employment opportunities and reduced working hours.
  • Going forward, as we develop actions into upskilling leaders for productivity growth, we will think carefully about who this will benefit, making sure it is not disproportionate to those already in achieved positions of relative privilege.

Age – Project 10[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • There is considerable geographical variation in the age profile of the population, with lowest variation in the cities and a greater proportion of older people in rural and island areas. This uneven age structure can be attributed to falling birth rates, an increase in life expectancy, and migration.
  • The local authority areas with the highest youth (16-24) employment rates in Scotland in 2018 were Orkney Islands (89.9%), Na h-Eileanan Siar (72.9% and Highland (70.4%).
  • The areas with the lowest youth employment rates during this period were East Renfrewshire (37.3%), Glasgow City (40.2%) and East Ayrshire (47.1%). It should be noted that youth employment rates in university cities are likely to be lower due to higher levels of economically inactive students.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Going forward we must assure that regional development tackles this variation in age across the country and no individual is left disadvantaged due to location.

Disability – Project 8[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Accessible transport is an important aspect of enabling disabled people to enjoy equal access to full citizenship. Disabled adults are more likely to use the bus than non-disabled adults (11% of journeys vs 7%) (Transport Scotland, 2021). In 2019, 44% of sick or disabled adults had used a bus in the last month compared to 39% of all adults (Transport Scotland, Sep 2020).

However, they were less likely to use a train.

  • There are a range of accessibility issues that may affect a disabled person's ability to safely access and use public transport services. These include steps or multi layered stations, inaccessible transport information, lack of trained support staff and lack of accessible connectivity between modes.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Active travel infrastructure can help increase confidence and, therefore, use of active travel to access a wide range of facilities. Many disabled people rely on cycling as a mode of transport, but require the appropriate infrastructure to use adapted bikes etc. Active travel interventions should therefore use inclusive design standards for cycling.

Disability – Project 9[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • People with disabilities are less likely to be in employment than non-disabled people, and earn less on average than non-disabled people.
  • The employment rate for people with disabilities was estimated at 47.4% (April 2020-March 2021) - significantly lower than the employment rate for non-disabled people (80.2%).
  • The disability employment gap in Scotland narrowed in the pre-pandemic period and over the latest year (to Oct 2020 – Sep 2021), but remains large at an estimated 31.0 percentage points.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • People with disabilities are more likely to have no, or low, qualifications compared to non-disabled people, and are less likely than non-disabled people to have qualifications at degree level or above. Even with a degree or higher qualification, people with disabilities are still less likely to be employed than non-disabled people without one.
  • Employers need to consider and offer a range of accessible jobs and adjustments that will meet the individual needs of (young) disabled people in the workforce. It was also suggested that the delivery of new, good, green jobs should be used to address the disability employment gap and be made available to people with disabilities and also other under-represented groups.

Disability – Project 10[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • There is regional variation in the employment rate for those who reported a disability. In 2019 this was 22.5% of all disabled people in work in Glasgow City (11.8%) and Edinburgh (10.8%).

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Going forward we must assure that regional development tackles this variation across the country and no individual is left disadvantaged due to location.

Sex – Project 8[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • A 2019 ONS report shows that there is little difference between men and women when it comes to internet use. At the time of publication, in 2019, 92% of men and 90% of women had used the internet in the previous 3 months. 6.3% of men and 9% of women stated they had never used the internet.
  • There is a disparity in how different sexes use transport. Men are more likely to hold a driving license than women (77% compared to 66%) and drive more frequently (49% drive every day, compared to 38% of women). Men also walk and cycle more frequently. In 2017 women used the bus slightly more than men, with 40% having used a bus in the last month compared to 37% of men, however there is little difference when comparing train use (Transport Scotland, Sep 2020). Women are more likely to make multi-stop and multi-purpose trips, combining travel to work with trips for other purposes, such as taking children to school, looking after family members or shopping, and are more likely to walk, be a passenger in a car or take a bus than men (Sustrans, 2018).
  • Likewise women's concerns when traveling on public transport largely relate to gender-based violence and assault, including sexual harassment when travelling.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Greater consideration must be taken to assure that connectivity and its access is open and experienced equally between women and men.

Sex – Project 9[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Scotland has a slightly lower percentage of women-led businesses (15.4%) as compared to the U.K. average (16.8%), although there is support for Scottish women entrepreneurs through organisations such as Scottish Enterprise, Business Gateway, Women Enterprise Scotland, Business Women Scotland, Association of Scottish Businesswomen (amongst others). 13.2% of female-led businesses are considered 'Small' (i.e. employing 10-49 people). This is slightly higher than the average across the U.K.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • There is a need to integrate gender perspectives and women's needs, disadvantages and inequalities into response measures and wider economic policymaking.

Sex – Project 10[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Women make up 65% of social entrepreneurs in Scotland, and 54% of trustee or board members of social enterprises are women as well. Supporting this sector is one clear way to ensure that women enjoy ownership of the economy.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Community Benefits Frameworks can ensure that commissioning and procurement processes could be used to advance gender equality by measuring things like the gender pay gap, care leave and other indicators of gender equality.

Pregnancy and Maternity – Project 8[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Pregnant women may be mobility restricted, particularly at later stages of pregnancy. Whilst pregnancy and maternity transect all of society, pregnant women from more deprived backgrounds are less likely to have access to a car and are more reliant on public transport. Pregnant women are more vulnerable to the adverse effects of air pollution, including an increasing risk of miscarriage (Leiser et al, 2019) as well premature births and low birth weights.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • By encouraging modal shift from private car to rail, High Speed Rail (HSR) could contribute to improving air quality. Improved health outcomes as a result of better air quality are of particular benefit to those who are more vulnerable to air pollution, including children, older people, disabled people and pregnant women. New or upgraded HSR stations and rolling stock, and the procurement of updated and more accessible public transport vehicles, would be designed in line with current design standards and be fully accessible, therefore enabling people with mobility limitations (including disabled people, older people, pregnant people, and people travelling with young children) to travel by rail.

Pregnancy and Maternity – Project 9[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Motherhood has a significant impact on the number of hours that some mothers can work, which then affects their pay and income relative to non-mothers and men. Mothers suffer a big long-term pay penalty from part-time working, on average earning about 30% less per hour than similarly educated fathers. Some of this wage gap can be attributed to mothers being more likely to work part-time, or taking time out of the labour market altogether.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Need for integrating gender perspectives and women's needs, disadvantages and inequalities into response measures and wider economic policymaking.

Pregnancy and Maternity – Project 10[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • It remains unclear what regional implications may have upon pregnancy and motherhood at this stage, and further data gathering will be required to understand the regional dimension.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Need to improve the understanding of inequality issues in the system, with considerations of child-care and care economy more generally as critical to achieving women's equality.
  • Each Community Wealth pilot area in Scotland has developed and implemented bespoke Community Wealth Building action plans focusing on delivering actions such as: growing local supply chains; supporting the creation of good fair work opportunities for local people; promoting the Real Living Wage and wider fair work objectives; bringing vacant and derelict land into more productive use; using land as a tool to achieve net zero; maximising the community benefits associated with procurement; and developing local supply chains, supporting local firms to take part in public procurement contracts.

Gender Reassignment – Project 8[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Transgender identity is also one of the protected characteristics covered by the hate crime legislation. For many transgender people, concerns about discrimination and harassment are part of their day-to-day lives, and could affect their use of the transport network.
  • Sexual orientation aggravated crime is the second most commonly reported type of hate crime. The number of charges reported increased by 10% in 2021-22, to 1,781. With the exception of 2014-15, there have been year-on-year increases in charges reported since the legislation introducing this aggravation came into force in 2010.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • There are no official statistics relating to gender reassignment in Scotland as the Census has previously only collected data relating to sex at birth. However, further data will be provided following the 2022 Census, which provided people with the ability to self-identify as male or female, allowing transgender people to answer a different sex to that on their birth certificate without the need for a Gender Recognition Certificate. The results of this census will be taken on board following their publication in 2023.

Gender Reassignment – Project 9[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • At present there is a clear lack of data regarding gender reassignment in Scotland in relation to employment, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) employers or entrepreneurial activity.
  • As indicated through analysis carried out as part of the NSET's initial equalities Position Statement, barriers and challenges to the inclusion of trans and intersex employees include lack of knowledge by employers and fellow employees, insufficient line manager confidence, stigma, practical considerations (e.g. toilet facilities, uniforms), lack of support and flexible policies. Barriers to accessing employment include fear of prejudice, application forms excluding non-binary identities, difficulties obtaining references and proof of qualification matching gender and new name, lack of awareness and transphobia from interview panels, and feeling unable to be open about trans identity when applying for jobs.
  • As indicated through analysis carried out as part of the NSET's initial equalities Position Statement, Trans students experience harassment and discrimination at HE institutions, and for some this has a significant negative impact on their studies, future plans and skills.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Need for integrating gender reassignment perspectives and disadvantages and inequalities into response measures and wider economic policymaking.

Gender Reassignment – Project 10[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Due to a lack of data regarding gender reassignment in Scotland, there is little evidence regarding regional dynamics.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • There are no official statistics relating to gender reassignment in Scotland as the Census has previously only collected data relating to sex at birth. However, further data will be provided following the 2022 Census, which provided people with the ability to self-identify as male or female, allowing transgender people to answer a different sex to that on their birth certificate without the need for a Gender Recognition Certificate. The results of this census will be taken on board following their publication in 2023.

Sexual Orientation – Project 8[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • In the Scottish Surveys Core Questions 2019, an annual Official Statistics publication, 94.2% of adults identified with being heterosexual, with 2% identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual or other (LGBO). The remaining respondents answered, 'Don't Know'. It is believed that this survey may undercount the number of adults self-identifying as LGBO as they may not feel comfortable with the interviewer (Scottish Government, 2019). People in this group may be concerned about being able to access public transport and public transport facilities, especially at night when these may be poorly lit, for fear of harassment or discrimination.
  • Sample sizes for questions in the Scottish Household Survey were in most cases too small to use. A higher proportion of respondents identifying as gay/lesbian report using the internet than those identifying as Heterosexual/Straight (it should be noted that those who identify as LGBTQI+ are likely to be younger). The series looks reasonably stable over time, although there is more uncertainty around the estimate.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Going forward we will take greater consideration of the regional dimension of sexual orientation to assure no one is disadvantaged and is supported in all aspects of life including the job market.

Sexual Orientation – Project 9[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Despite studies showing equal or better pay for LGB people, they continue to experience discrimination, harassment and abuse in the workplace and in education. LGB employees are more than twice as likely to experience bullying at work than heterosexual employees, but many do not report this.
  • Four in ten LGB+ employees have experienced a form of workplace conflict in the past year - a rate significantly higher than for heterosexual workers. When conflicts, such as undermining, humiliation, shouting or verbal abuse occurred, the issue had only been partially resolved or not resolved at all.
  • LGB+ employees report poorer working relationships and job satisfaction compared to their heterosexual colleagues, a lack of psychological safety, and they were more likely to report that work has a negative impact on their health. More subtle discrimination, such as derogatory jokes, misgendering and stereotyping also occur.[6]

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Going forward we will take greater consideration of the regional dimension of sexual orientation to assure no one is disadvantaged and that LGB and LGB+ people are supported in all aspects of life, including the job market.

Sexual Orientation – Project 10[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Similarly, due to a lack of data regarding gender reassignment in Scotland, there is little evidence regarding regional dynamics.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Going forward we will take greater consideration of the regional dimension of sexual orientation to assure no one is disadvantaged and those who have undergone gender reassignment are supported in all aspects of life including the job market.

Race – Project[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Data shows that there is little difference in internet use between ethnic groups. It shows that 99% of those identifying as 'Chinese' have used the internet in the past 3 months, a greater number than any other ethnic group. Those identifying as Indian or White are the least likely to have accessed the internet (90%).
  • Since ethnic minority groups are less likely to have access to a car, and are more likely to rely on public transport than other groups, issues of cost and safety may disproportionally impact these groups and affect the outcomes and opportunities available. Racial discrimination, harassment or abuse can create a barrier to travel for ethnic minority groups, who are more likely to be subject to hate crimes.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Increasing data available for research in the public benefit and building skills and capacity to do this work can allow a greater understanding of the impact of public policy on people from different racial backgrounds.

Race – Project 9[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Poverty rates for people in minority ethnic households are higher than for the general population in Scotland, and minority ethnic people are more likely to be in relative poverty after housing costs. Minority ethnic families are also most at risk of child poverty (38% of children in minority ethnic families were in relative poverty in 2017-20, compared to 24% of all children in Scotland) and families from some minority ethnic groups are more likely to have three or more children, putting them at higher risk of child poverty.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Increasing data available for research in the public benefit and building skills and capacity to do this work can allow a greater understanding of the impact of public policy on people from different racial backgrounds.

Race – Project 10[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Some minority ethnic households are also more likely to live in the most deprived areas in Scotland compared to white Scottish/British households

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Increasing data available for research in the public benefit and building skills and capacity to do this work can allow a greater understanding of the impact of public policy on people from different racial backgrounds.

Religion or Belief – Project 8[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • Roman Catholicism is the religion that was most often the subject of reported abuse, with 384 charges for 2016-17. Protestantism and Islam are the religions that were subject to the next highest number of aggravations in 2016-17, followed by Judaism (Scottish Government Justice Analytical Services, 2017). These groups may have more concerns about experiencing discrimination, assault or harassment on the basis of religious identity whilst using public transport or public transport facilities.
  • Historically in the Scottish Household Survey, those who report their religion as Church of Scotland or Roman Catholic are less likely to report using the internet than other groups. However, it is possible that this is linked to age, with older people overrepresented in these categories.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Increasing data available for research in the public benefit and building skills and capacity to do this work can allow a greater understanding of the impact of public policy on people from different religions or beliefs.

Religion or Belief – Project 9[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • There is variation in employment rates by religion. Since 2004 the employment rate of Muslims in Scotland has been consistently lower than the employment rate for the population at large (58.1% vs 73.4% in 2020).
  • Whilst estimates are less precise for other religions due to small sample sizes, the data does suggest that the employment outcomes for those who are Jewish, Sikh or Buddhist in Scotland lag behind the overall population.

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Increasing data available for research in the public benefit and building skills and capacity to do this work can allow a greater understanding of the impact of public policy on people from different religions or beliefs.

Religion or Belief – Project 10[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

  • In 2015-20 relative poverty rates were considerably higher for Muslim adults (52%) compared to adults overall (18%).

Source(s)

Data gaps identified and action taken

  • Increasing data available for research in the public benefit and building skills and capacity to do this work can allow a greater understanding of the impact of public policy on people from different religions or beliefs

Marriage and Civil Partnership – Project 8[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Not applicable across any of the Projects within Programme 3 of NSET.

Source(s)

Not applicable.

Data gaps identified and action taken

Not applicable.

Marriage and Civil Partnership – Project 9[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Not applicable across any of the Projects within Programme 3 of NSET.

Source(s)

Not applicable.

Data gaps identified and action taken

Not applicable.

Marriage and Civil Partnership – Project 10[5]

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Not applicable across any of the Projects within Programme 3 of NSET.

Source(s)

Not applicable.

Data gaps identified and action taken

Not applicable.

Contact

Email: NSET@gov.scot

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