Approach to the Partial BRIA

Introduction

This Partial BRIA provides an initial assessment as to whether the options being considered as part of the A96 Corridor Review have the potential to impact on businesses, consumers and other organisations in the area.

Assessment Criteria

The guide questions used to undertake the Partial BRIA are set out below. These are taken from the Scottish Government’s BRIA toolkit and template.

Sectors and Groups Affected

Businesses – including Scottish Firms Impact Test and Competition Assessment

  • Will the review 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 changes?
  • Will the changes 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 review affect the essential services market, such as energy or water?
  • Does the review 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 review add complexity in a market, which could lead to information asymmetries or make it more difficult for consumers to understand their rights?
  • Could the review affect routes for consumers to seek advice or raise complaints on consumer issues?
  • Will it limit the choices and information available to consumers?

Organisations in the third sector

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

Regulatory and EU Alignment Impacts

Trade – International and Intra-UK

  • Is this review likely to impact on international trade?
  • Does this review have the potential to affect imports or exports of a specific good or service, or groups of goods or services?
  • Is this review likely to impact on intra-UK trade?

EU Alignment

  • Is this review likely to impact on the Scottish Government’s policy to maintain alignment with the EU?

Digital Impact Test

  • Do the changes take account of changing digital technologies and markets?
  • Will the changes be applicable in a digital/online context?
  • Will the changes potentially have an adverse impact on traditional or offline businesses?

If the action can be applied in an offline and online environment, will this have any adverse impacts on incumbent operators?

Legal Aid Impact Test

  • Could the review give rise to increased use of legal processes or create new rights or responsibilities, which could have an impact on the legal aid fund?