Methodology

Introduction

The approach for undertaking this BRIA and compiling this assessment report follows a three-stage process:

  • Review of the BRIA toolkit – a review of guidance and tools to identify the best case approach for assessing the impacts associated with the Cycling Framework;
  • Screening Impact Assessment – A high level assessment of screening impacts – informed by a consideration of the key issues and evidence.
  • Final Assessment – Updated screening report with input from a 12 week consultation

Review of the BRIA toolkit

A review of guidance and the BRIA toolkit has been undertaken to ensure that the overall approach taken ensures that data collected aligns with the requirements of the official BRIA template.

Screening Assessment

The BRIA screening assessment presents an initial review of each of the strategic policies within the Cycling Framework and provides an initial high-level assessment as to whether the action has potential to differentially or disproportionately affect groups identified through the assessments. It was published for the purposes of consultation to gather responses which has been used to inform the final assessment.

Final Impact Assessment

This impact assessment is an updated version of the Screening Impact Assessment, with updated assessments for each of the actions under the strategic policies within the Cycling Framework, further informed by consultation responses and any updated sources of evidence. A record of consultation comments and actions taken in response is provided in Appendix B.

The guide questions used to undertake the assessment are outlined below. Where there was not enough information to make a screening assessment, this has been noted within the screening table and has been updated as part of the final assessment following stakeholder engagement as appropriate

Potential impacts and risks

Businesses

  • Will the action/policy have an impact on the competitiveness of Scottish companies within the UK / Europe / globally?
  • What are the relevant businesses, sectors, markets, products or services that might be affected by the action?
  • Will the action restrict or increase competition in these markets?
    • Will it make it harder for new firms to enter a market?
    • Will it impact suppliers (number / range / competitiveness)?
  • Could impacts be different for different parts of an industry or different parts of a supply chain?
  • Will micro and small businesses be impacted differently? (Consider regulatory burden, compliance flexibility options, distribution of benefits, cost penalties of non-compliance)

Local authorities

  • What is the impact on local authorities?

Consumers – includes users of public services

  • Will the quality, availability or price of goods or services in a market be affected?
  • Does the action affect the essential services market, such as energy or water?
  • Does the action involve storage or increased use of consumer data?
  • Could there be increased opportunities for third parties to take advantage of government initiatives to target consumers whose circumstances make them more vulnerable?
  • Could the action add complexity in a market, which could lead to information asymmetries or make it more difficult for consumers to understand their rights?
  • Could the action affect routes for consumers to seek advice or raise complaints on consumer issues?
  • Will it limit the choices and information available to consumers?

Regulators

  • What is the impact on regulators?

Organisations in the third sector

  • What is the impact on organisations in the third sector?

Environment

  • Will there be disproportionate impacts on the environment, including disproportionate cost of compliance and monitoring?

General

  • Have any new forms been introduced as a result of the action?

Moving to digital / online

  • Does the action take account of changing digital technologies and markets?
  • Will the action be applicable in a digital / online context?
  • Will the action potentially have an adverse impact on traditional or offline businesses?
  • If the action can be applied in an offline and online environment, will this in itself have any adverse impacts on incumbent operators?

Costs and Benefits

  • What will the costs and benefits of the action be, relative to the status quo were the action not introduced (i.e. will they be additional and monetised)?