Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment for Scotland's Trafficking and Exploitation Strategy 2025

Section 5: Next steps and implementation

Recommendations/ preferred options

The Strategy will be delivered through the four outcome areas listed in section 1 above, with support from key stakeholders and partners. The activities will be set out in the accompanying Strategy Delivery Plan. Key areas of focus will continue to include victim support, prosecution of perpetrators, preventative actions and improved evidence and data-sharing.

The Minister for Victims and Community Safety has approved the revised Strategy and Delivery Plan.

Implementation considerations/ plan

Implementation is overseen by the Scottish Government and delivered through multi-agency partnership groups. The Strategy is implemented through a Delivery Plan, published in 2026, which sets out the actions to be undertaken by stakeholders to deliver the Strategy’s outcomes. Business stakeholders were engaged during development of the Delivery Plan. Business awareness will be supported through continuing engagement, and stakeholder partnerships. No new regulations or compliance deadlines are introduced by the Strategy.

Post implementation review

The Strategy has now been in implementation for approximately one year. During this period, the Scottish Government has continued to engage with stakeholders, including businesses, while developing the accompanying Delivery Plan and this final BRIA.

No evidence has emerged during implementation to indicate that the Strategy has resulted in direct costs or unintended adverse impacts on businesses. The Scottish Government will continue to monitor implementation through existing governance arrangements and stakeholder engagement, ensuring that any emerging issues can be considered as part of future statutory reviews of the Strategy.