The Single Use Carrier Bags Charge (Scotland) Amendment Regulations 2021: equality impact assessment

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 does not create unlawful discrimination related to age.

X

X

There could potentially be positive and negative impacts on older and younger people in relation to an increase in the SUCB charge, as young people are more likely to purchase SUCBs and older people tend to rely more on local shops.

Accessible communication and inclusive engagement will be central to ensuring consumers of all ages are aware of the consultation and of the proposed revised SUCB.

On a positive note, a key objective of the increase in the SUCB minimum charge is to support a reduction in litter. The evidence indicates that there is a likelihood that young people may see less litter in their neighbourhoods and view these from a more positive perspective, especially those young people living in lower socio-economic circumstances.

X

The reduction in the littering of SUCBs, as a result of an increased charge, could potentially promote good relations between different age groups by helping to reduce littering in local communities. People of all ages could collectively view and take pride in their neighbourhood from a more positive perspective.

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 does not create unlawful discrimination related to disability.

X

Evidence suggests that a high percentage of households have someone who experiences disability or has a mental health condition and some can be more susceptible to financial difficulty.

The increase in SUCB charge may have impacts on disabled people, including both physical and cognitive disabilities, who may have a requirement for the item that is subject to the charge or have more difficulty in adapting their behaviour to adopt reusable alternatives. 

X

Given increased public and regulatory pressure to move away from single-use plastic items, individuals with cognitive and learning differences could face increased judgement from non-disabled people when purchasing SUCBs. 

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 does not create unlawful discrimination related to gender.

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 does not create inequality of opportunity related to gender.

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 is unlikely to impact on the promotion of good relations between men and women.

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 does not create unlawful discrimination related to pregnancy and maternity.

X

We are unaware of any relevant and existing evidence, at this time, on pregnancy and maternity in relation to the proposed amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014. 

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 is unlikely to impact on the promotion of good relations between pregnant women and other people.

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 does not create unlawful discrimination related to gender reassignment.

X

We are unaware of any relevant and existing evidence, at this time, on the gender reassignment protected characteristic in relation to the to the proposed amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014. 

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 is unlikely to impact on the promotion of good relations between transgender people and others.

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 does not create unlawful discrimination related to sexual orientation.

X

We are unaware of any relevant and existing evidence, at this time, on the sexual orientation protected characteristic in relation to the proposed amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014. 

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 is unlikely to impact on the promotion of good relations between people of different sexual orientation.

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 does not create unlawful discrimination related to race.

X

We are unaware of any relevant and existing evidence, at this time, on race in relation to the proposed amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014. 

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 is unlikely to impact on the promotion of good race relations.

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 does not create unlawful discrimination related to religion or belief.

X

We are unaware of any relevant and existing evidence, at this time, on religion or belief protected characteristic in relation to the proposed amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014. 

X

The amendment to the SUCB (Scotland) Regulations 2014 is unlikely to impact on the promotion of good relations among people of religion and belief and others.

Not Applicable.