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Publication - Impact assessment

Procurement - SME and third sector action plan 2024-2026: equality impact assessment

Published
16 May 2024
Directorate
Scottish Procurement and Property Directorate
Topic
Communities and third sector, Equality and rights
ISBN
9781836012405

Equality impact assessment to support publication of our Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) and third sector procurement action plan.

View supporting documents Supporting documents

Stage 2: Data and evidence gathering, involvement and consultation

Age

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Data gaps identified and action taken
1. The largest proportion of SME employers were in the 45 to 54 age category
  • In 2014, more than 1 in 3 of small to medium-sized enterprise employers in Scotland fell in the 45 to 54 age category (34%). The two next largest categories were the 55 to 64 (22%) and 35 to 44 (19%) age categories. The proportion in the under 35 and 65 and over age groups were smaller at 11% each.
  • Between 2012 and 2014 the proportion of small to medium-sized enterprise employers in the 55 to 64 age group decreased markedly, and there were also small decreases in the under 35 and 35 to 44 cohorts. Increases were seen however in the 45 to 54 and 65 and over cohorts.

NA

Small Business Survey reports (Published: June 2020, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills)

Disability

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Data gaps identified and action taken
2. Less than 10% of SME sole traders had a disability in 2014

In 2014, 9% of small to medium-sized employing sole traders in Scotland had a disability. This figure has decreased by 2 percentage points since 2012.

NA

Small Business Survey reports (Published: June 2020, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills)

Ethnicity

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Data gaps identified and action taken
3. 4% of SME employers were run by members of a minority ethnic group in 2019
  • In 2019, 4.0% of small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) employers in Scotland were run by a member, or mostly by members, of a minority ethnic group.

The proportion of SME employers in Scotland that were run by a member, or mostly by members, of a minority ethnic group in 2019 was higher than in 2018 (1.8%).

NA

Small Business Survey Scotland 2019 (Last updated: September 2020)

Gender

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Data gaps identified and action taken
4. Less than one sixth of Scottish SME employers were entirely or majority-led by women in 2019
  • In 2019, 14.0% of small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) employers were controlled by a woman, or led by a management team with a majority of women.
  • The percentage of SME employers entirely or majority-led by women decreased between 2018 and 2019.

In 2019, 21.0% of SME employers had an equal number of men and women on the management team.

NA

Small Business Survey Scotland 2019 (Last updated: September 2020)

Socio Economic

Evidence gathered and Strength/quality of evidence

Data gaps identified and action taken
5. Entrepreneurial Activity was highest for those in the 2nd Quintile, and lowest for those in the 5th (least deprived) quintile.
  • The pattern of entrepreneurial activity across SIMD quintiles has fluctuated in recent years.

In 2020, total early-stage Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) was 6.6% in the 20% least deprived areas, and was 7.6% in the 20% most deprived areas.

NA

Global Entrepreneurship Monitor 2019 (Published: December 2020, Enterprise Research Centre)

Pregnancy and Maternity

After consideration, it is believed that this characteristic is not one that would be impacted positively or negatively by the Action Plan. This will be reviewed in line with the Action Plan and related Impact Assessment reviews.

Gender Reassignment

After consideration, it is believed that this characteristic is not one that would be impacted positively or negatively by the Action Plan. This will be reviewed in line with the Action Plan and related Impact Assessment reviews.

Sexual Orientation

After consideration, it is believed that this characteristic is not one that would be impacted positively or negatively by the Action Plan. This will be reviewed in line with the Action Plan and related Impact Assessment reviews.

Religion or Belief

After consideration, it is believed that this characteristic is not one that would be impacted positively or negatively by the Action Plan. This will be reviewed in line with the Action Plan and related Impact Assessment reviews.

Mariage and Civil Partnership

SME and Third Sector Procurement Action Plan does not relate to work, and as such this characteristic has not been impacted against the Action Plan.

Contact

Email: scottishprocurement@gov.scot

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