Building Safety Levy (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment

Key Findings

Age

Responses to our consultation expressed the view that a reduction in housing delivery or an increase in house prices resulting from the SBSL could disproportionately impact families with children, particularly those living in temporary accommodation and/or living in poverty. It was also expressed that this could disproportionately impact younger people who are more likely to be first time home buyers, and that the SBSL may lead to increased rents in the Build to Rent sector, which may also have a disproportionate impact on younger people.

Stakeholders also noted that a reduction in housing delivery resulting from the SBSL could reduce developer contributions to the wider community and facilities/infrastructure which benefit children and young people, including education and public leisure and green spaces.

Some consultation responses also noted an indirect positive impact of the SBSL is the raising of revenue to tackle the problem of unsafe cladding, an issue which has affected children, young people, and families.

Existing evidence demonstrates the importance of affordable housing provision for children, young people, and families. The 2023-24 Progress Report on the Tackling Child Poverty Delivery Plan notes that between April and December 2023, an estimated 2,015 households with children were helped into affordable housing through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme.^[4] Latest data shows that families with children make up 24% of all social rented households in Scotland.^[5]

Existing research also indicates that young families with children are the largest buyer group in the new build market and are more likely than average to purchase new build homes over second-hand homes.^[6]

We have attempted to engage with providers of Purpose-Built Student Accommodation to understand the potential for impacts on these developments, however response rates have been limited.

Disability

Responses to our consultation expressed the view that a reduction in housing delivery, or an increase in house prices, resulting from the SBSL, could have a disproportionate impact on certain groups who may be more likely to experience poverty or to rely on affordable housing. Existing evidence shows that poverty rates are higher for households in which somebody is disabled compared to those where no-one is disabled.^[7] As of 2023, 59% of social rented accommodation households in Scotland included someone with a long-term physical or mental health condition or illness.^[8]

Consultation responses also noted that the SBSL could further discourage private developers from building accessible homes, given that these developments are already associated with higher build costs.

Gender reassignment

Some responses to the consultation expressed a general view that a reduction in housing delivery or an increase in house prices resulting from the SBSL could have a disproportionate impact on the protected characteristics.

Pregnancy and maternity

Some responses to the consultation expressed a general view that a reduction in housing delivery or an increase in house prices resulting from the SBSL could have a disproportionate impact on the protected characteristics.

Race

Responses to our consultation expressed the view that a reduction in housing delivery, or an increase in house prices, resulting from the SBSL, could have a disproportionate impact on certain groups who may be more likely to experience poverty or to rely on affordable housing. In 2015-20, people from non-white minority ethnic groups were more likely to be in relative poverty after housing costs compared to those from the ‘White - British’ and ‘White - Other’ groups.^[9]

Religion or belief

Responses to our consultation expressed the view that a reduction in housing delivery, or an increase in house prices, resulting from the SBSL, could have a disproportionate impact on certain groups who may be more likely to experience poverty or to rely on affordable housing. In 2015-20, Muslim adults were more likely to be in relative poverty (52%, 30,000 each year) than adults overall (18%), after housing costs were taken into account.^[10]

Sex

Responses to our consultation expressed the view that a reduction in housing delivery, or an increase in house prices, resulting from the SBSL, could have a disproportionate impact on certain groups who may be more likely to experience poverty or to rely on affordable housing.

Existing data shows that poverty rates are highest for single mothers.^[11]

Sexual orientation

Some responses to the consultation expressed a general view that a reduction in housing delivery or an increase in house prices resulting from the SBSL could have a disproportionate impact on the protected characteristics.