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

Stage 4: Decision making and monitoring

Identifying and establishing any required mitigating action

Have positive or negative impacts been identified for any of the equality groups?

This review has identified at this stage a range of potentially positive and negative impacts relating to the proposal to increase the SUCB. The qualitative scoring of these potential impacts, both negative and positive, have been considered for each of the protected characteristics and the other specified characteristics as listed in this EQIA. 

This qualitative scoring has been undertaken using the data and evidence available and gathered to date and within the timescale allowed. 

Having taken account of all the evidence, the conclusion we have reached is that the policy is an appropriate means of delivering the objectives sought, and that the net equality impacts overall are likely to be modest when set against those wider objectives.

Is the policy directly or indirectly discriminatory under the Equality Act 2010^[28]?

While there are some potential minor positive and negative impacts identified, the proposal to increase the charge for SUCBs is not directly or indirectly discriminatory under the Equality Act 2010.

If the policy is indirectly discriminatory, how is it justified under the relevant legislation?

Not Applicable

If not justified, what mitigating action will be undertaken?

Not Applicable

Describing how Equality Impact analysis has shaped the policy making process

Monitoring and Review

The impact of the regulations will be considered as part of ongoing engagement with interested stakeholders.