Equality Impact Assessments

Scottish Enterprise's equal opportunities obligations

With Scotland’s working population ageing and declining there is a need to engage with all under-represented groups to ensure that the economy continues to prosper. Smart Successful Scotland states, “Making Scotland an open, fair, inclusive and diverse society is crucial if the Scottish economy is to realise its full growth potential.”

Scottish Enterprise (SE) has certain statutory duties under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act and the Disability Discrimination Act to promote race equality and disability equality. Similar statutory duties will soon come into force in regard to gender equality. In brief, the law states that in carrying out its activities, SE shall have “due regard” to the need to eliminate unlawful discrimination and promote equality of opportunity (in connection with race, disability and gender.)

The aim of these legal duties is to ensure SE considers equality in all decisions and activities. This cannot be applied without some knowledge of the way in which policies and projects can have a different impact on different groups.

The legislation requires us to conduct equality impact assessments to ensure equality is considered in all SE projects. This could involve gathering and analysing information and consulting with people affected. The purpose of equality impact assessments is to ensure policies do not disadvantage any group and to identify opportunities for actively promoting equality of opportunity.

The principles of relevance and proportionality apply.

Equality Impact Assessments

We will publish equality impact assessments for current projects in this section of the website. For further information or to access archived assessments contact the Equal Opportunities team at SE on 0141 248 2700.

Equality Matters in Business Impact Assessment (PDF, 77kb)