Removal of Freight Transport Relief (draft Equality Impact Screening)

Topics:

Draft impact assessment relating to the consultation on Domestic and Non-Domestic rating measures to support budget sustainability.

Screening is the first of two methods by which the necessary level of “regard” is demonstrated as being paid to the statutory equality goal, as set out in Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998. The DoF Equality Scheme commits us to screening our policies. This includes our strategies and plans, policies, legislative developments; and new ways of working such as – the introduction, change or end of an existing service, procedure, policy etc.

This screening template is designed to help business areas consider the likely equality and human rights impacts of their proposed decisions on different groups of customers, service users, staff and visitors.

Detailed information about the Section 75 equality duties and what they mean in practice is available on the Equality Commission’s website:

Section 75 A Guide for Public Authorities

A copy of the Screening Template, for each policy screened, should be ‘signed off’ and approved by a senior manager responsible for the policy, made accessible on the DoF website as soon as possible following completion and made available in alternative formats on request.

All Section 75 consultees should be advised of the screening exercise once the final policy decision has been taken.

The screening template has 4 sections to complete. These are:

Section A - details about the policy / decision that is being screened.

Section B - 4 key questions that require you to outline the likely impacts on equality groups, and all supporting evidence.

Section C - 4 key questions in relation to obligations under the Disability Discrimination Order and the Human Rights Act.

Section D - the formal record of the screening decision.

Section A - Information about the policy

This stage of the screening process involves scoping the policy under consideration. The purpose of policy scoping is to help prepare the background and context and set out the aims and objectives for the policy being screened. At this stage, scoping the policy will help identify potential constraints as well as opportunities and will help the policy maker work through the screening on a step-by-step basis.

Remember that the Section 75 statutory duties apply to internal policies (relating to people who work for us) as well as external policies (relating to those who are, or could be, served by us).

Is this a new or revised policy?

This proposal is a revision to an existing policy.

a) Name of the policy

Removal of Freight Transport Relief

b) Brief Description of the policy

This is a revision of wider taxation policy to regularise the rating liability of freight transport properties in line with other properties on the non-domestic valuation list through the removal of freight transport relief.

c) Aims of the policy/ Rationale behind the changes

This policy revision aims to increase rate revenue for central government.

d) Who will the policy affect?

The revision to the policy will affect businesses who are awarded freight transport relief.

e) Is this a NICS wide policy?

N/A

f) Who will implement the policy?

The Department of Finance has policy and legislation responsibility for the rating system.

g) Will this policy or revision address an existing inequality? Yes/No If yes, please give details.

No.

h) Will this policy or revision benefit any Section 75 categories? Yes/No If yes, please give details.

Yes. Increased revenue from the measure has the potential to benefit all s75 categories indirectly through greater ability of Govt Depts to meet Budget commitments.

i) Will this policy or revision have an adverse differential impact upon any of the Section 75 groupings? Yes/No. If yes, please give details.

No. The provision does not engage Section 75 groupings directly, rather it regularises the position of those properties with freight transport relief within the wider taxation regime.

Section B - Available evidence

Evidence to help inform the screening process may take many forms. Public authorities should ensure that their screening decision is informed by relevant data.

What evidence / information (both qualitative and quantitative) have you gathered to inform this policy? Set out all evidence below along with details of the different Section 75 groups you have met and / or consulted with to help inform your screening assessment. Please also provide details of priorities and needs identified for each Section 75 group.

Religious belief

This policy has direct application to the taxation regime within the non-domestic rating system, regularises the position of freight transport property within that taxation regime, and will have no bearing in terms of its likely impact on equality of opportunity or good relations for people within the different Section 75 groups. The measure would also address wider Budget shortfalls that in and of themselves have the potential to cause a detrimental effect on public services affecting different section 75 groups.

Political opinion

As above.

Racial group

As above.

Age

As above.

Marital status

As above.

Sexual orientation

As above.

Men & women generally

As above.

Disability

As above.

Dependents

As above.

If you have no evidence held, outline how you will obtain it:

N/A.

Screening questions

There are 4 essential screening questions:

What is the likely impact on equality of opportunity for those affected by this policy, for each of the nine Section 75 categories? (minor/major/none)
Are there opportunities to better promote equality of opportunity for people within the Section 75 categories? (yes/no)
To what extent is the policy likely to impact upon good relations between people of different religious belief, political opinion or racial group? (minor/major/none)
Are there opportunities to better promote good relations between these three groups? (Yes/No)