Children (Withdrawal from Religious Education and Amendment of UNCRC Compatibility Duty) (Scotland) Bill: equality impact assessment (EQIA)

Key Findings

A breakdown of evidence gathering in relation to each characteristic is provided below. However, given the particular relevance of age and religion/belief to the changes relating to RO and RME, some particular detail on engagement and evidence gathered in relation to these characteristics and the RO/RME changes is provided below.

Religious Observance and Religious and Moral Education in Schools

Wider evidence which brings in individuals from all backgrounds was gathered through a public consultation on ‘Proposals to Amend the Legislation on Religious Observance and Religious Education in Schools to Support Alignment with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child’, which was published in November 2024 and closed on 26 January 2025.

As indicated in the consultation analysis report, the consultation received over five hundred responses, which did not reach a clear consensus on a preferred approach. Instead the responses show a wide range of views, with many recognising both advantages and disadvantages to the proposed approach.

Some respondents objected to any legislative changes and others were of the view that far more radical change is needed, for example providing a parallel right to withdraw for learners, or by contrast removing the right to withdraw entirely for either or both RO and RME. The proposed change will meet obligations under UNCRC but present a ‘middle ground’ which would effectively align legislation with existing guidance. It is proposed that this approach supports alignment with the UNCRC by ensuring children’s views are considered, as well as supporting their right to education including their spiritual development. This is balanced with the need to uphold parental rights, and with the aim of avoiding additional workload for schools which might be disproportionate to the resulting benefits.

There were many responses to the consultation from those representing faith and belief organisations, as well as responses with experience of denominational and non-denominational schools. Additionally, the Scottish Government undertook targeted engagement with key stakeholders and representatives from a range of faith and belief communities, including Humanist Society Scotland, the Scottish Catholic Education Service, the Association of Directors of Education in Scotland, Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights), the Scottish Teachers Association of RME, Church of Scotland, the Free Church of Scotland and the Scottish Council of Jewish Communities (now called the Jewish Council of Scotland). (Some faith and belief organisations represented on the Scottish Government’s Faith and Belief Representatives Group were not able to meet with the Bill team prior to the introduction of the Bill. Officials have since met with this group and will continue to engage with them to ensure their views continue to be considered as part of the development of the accompanying guidance.)

In relation to the relevant characteristics, particular concerns were raised about the interaction between children’s rights and parental rights to provide guidance and direction to their children, including in relation to religion and belief. However, it should be noted that these parental rights recede as the child grows and matures, regardless of the religion of the parent or child. Additionally, current Scottish Government guidance is clear that both RO and RME should be inclusive of those of all religions and none. While in denominational schools, RO and RME will reflect the particular faith character of the school, children only attend a denominational school where a parent has chosen this over the option of a non-denominational school.

Some concerns were also raised about potential discrimination or stigma resulting from a withdrawal request, or attempts by potential ‘bad actors’ in a community to influence a child’s decision. There were also some anecdotal reports suggesting that the current guidance, which indicates that RO and RME should be delivered inclusively, is not consistently implemented. While these concerns are not directly relevant to the proposed changes, it will be important to consider how updated guidance to accompany the changes might help address these issues.

Given the limited evidence from children collected from the public consultation process, with only three responses being from children, further direct engagement was undertaken to seek children and young people’s views. The Scottish Government met with 4 MSYPs to discuss the current proposals as a precursor to more substantial engagement on the development of statutory guidance on RO/RME. The MSYPs expressed support for greater autonomy for children and young people in this area, noting the need to ensure that schools understand the pupil’s perspective. It was felt that some pupils are likely to act according to their own views on RO/RME regardless of the process, for example through not attending RO/RME when they are asked to, or by attending RO/RME when their parents have withdrawn them.

In addition to engagement with children and young people, we have also engaged with organisations who work directly with children and young people to gather their views. We have had stakeholder discussions with representatives from the office of the Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland (CYPCS) and Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights).

Note: The Scottish Government are planning further engagement/research with children and young people: a full session with all MSYPs in September 2025, and school level engagement with pupils/educators in autumn 2025, and we will continue to monitor against the existing EQIA in the event that further action is required. We anticipate that this further engagement will help to inform the implementation of the final Act (including the statutory guidance under it).

Assessment of evidence by characteristic

Age

There is very limited evidence available on the differing impacts of withdrawal from RO/RME on children and young people on the basis of age.

Evidence from Scotland’s Census 2022 on ethnic group, national identity, language and religion found that young people are more likely to say they have no religion than people in older age groups. This was true in 2001 when this question was first asked, and in each census since.

Between 2011 and 2022 increases were seen in the ‘no religion’ category across all age groups. In the 65+ age group the number with no religion has more than doubled since 2011 - an increase of 186,700 people (from 14.1% to 28.6%).

The evidence available is quite limited and while providing evidence on specific aspect of the relationship between religion and age it does not provide evidence regarding the impacts of withdrawal from RO/RME with reference to age.

However, as noted above, while the proposed changes will affect all pupils, regardless of age, consideration will need to be given to the different support which may be required for pupils of different age and capacity.

Additionally, RO and RME are timetabled differently in primary and secondary schools, therefore consideration will need to be given to the different impacts on primary and secondary pupils. Both of these considerations will be explored as part of the development of the guidance to accompany the implementation of the changes.

In terms of the UNCRC Act amendment, most stakeholders consulted understood the rationale for this amendment. The Scottish Government already supports public authorities to interpret and apply their duties under the UNCRC Act. This support will continue, ensuring that public authorities have the necessary guidance to apply the amendment appropriately.

Together (Scottish Alliance for Children’s Rights) also worked with the children and young people consulted on the original UNCRC Bill to identify any concerns that they might have about the exemption and develop a child-friendly explainer, which will be shared with key children’s rights stakeholders.

While the UNCRC Act amendment is technical in nature, and is more closely linked to public authorities’ work, as this has the potential to impact children and young people who access services, there needs to be accessible child-friendly resources to assist them in understanding impact.

Together have engaged children and young people in the Act to gather their views on the amendment, and we are working with them to develop a child-friendly explainer that addresses any concerns. The draft Children’s Rights Scheme under the UNCRC Act will also set out that the Scottish Government will ask public authorities, at least annually, where they may require to rely on the exemption set out in Part 2 of this Bill. This will help us identify where the exemption is being relied on.

Disability

There is no evidence to suggest differing impacts of the RO/RME withdrawal process on children and young people in school or parents on the basis of disability.

There may be some pupils/parents with communication difficulties and this may mean that additional support is required for them to share and discuss their views on withdrawal.

This will be considered in more detail as part of the development of the guidance to accompany the implementation of the changes.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, by helping to ensure that we minimise disruption to essential services, the amendment could have a positive impact on disabled people. Disabled people have a higher risk of poverty and financial instability. The cost-of-living crisis is also having an unequal impact on disabled people as they face extra expenses due to the high cost of specialist equipment and higher use of everyday essentials and energy. In 2022/23 the additional amount of money a disabled household would need to have the same standard of living as a non-disabled household, (the Disability Price Tag), was £1,010 a month. Adjusting this figure for inflation over 2023/24, it rises to £1,067 extra a month.

Additionally, disabled people, including children and young people, have a diverse range of capacities and needs. Due to this, it is likely they will access essential services designed to meet their needs and therefore have the potential to be positively impacted by this change which protects the delivery of essential services in the event of there being an actual or perceived conflict between the UNCRC Act compatibility duty and another statutory duty.

We are not aware of any circumstances in which public authorities will need to rely on the proposed exemption. Our understanding of what does and does not constitute an incompatibility with the UNCRC requirements will evolve as the courts in Scotland determine cases brought to them under the UNCRC Act. Therefore, it is not possible to identify specific impacts at this stage. However, we can anticipate that without this exemption there may be a negative impact on the delivery of essential services and the people using them.

Relevant evidence

• The lived experience of disabled people in the UK: a review of evidence
• Scottish Government Disability Equality Plan
• Scottish Health Survey - topic report: equality groups

Sex

There is no evidence to suggest differing impacts of the RO/RME withdrawal process on children and young people in schools or parents on the basis of sex.

There is a possibility of an intersection of sex with religion/culture and the rates of RO/RME withdrawal. However, the available data does not provide any evidence of this.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption is intended to minimise disruption to essential services, which may include services which support the prevention of discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity, or promoting good relations between men and women. The exemption provides legal clarity that supports the continued delivery of services, including those relevant to the sex characteristic.

Pregnancy and maternity

There is no evidence to suggest differing impacts of the withdrawal process on children and young people in schools or parents on the basis of pregnancy and maternity.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption is intended to minimise disruption to essential services, which may include the many essential services that are relied on during pregnancy and maternity. The exemption provides legal clarity that supports the continued delivery of services, including those relevant to the pregnancy and maternity characteristic.

Gender reassignment

There is no evidence to suggest differing impacts of withdrawal from RO/RME on children and young people in schools or parents on the basis of gender reassignment.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption is intended to minimise disruption to essential services, which may include services that support individuals undergoing or who have undergone gender reassignment. The exemption provides legal clarity that supports the continued delivery of services, including those relevant to the gender reassignment characteristic.

Sexual orientation

There is no evidence to suggest differing impacts of the withdrawal process on children and young people in schools or parents on the basis of sexual orientation.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption is intended to minimise disruption to essential services, which may include services that support individuals of all sexual orientations and promote inclusion. The exemption provides legal clarity that supports the continued delivery of services, including those relevant to the sexual orientation characteristic.

Race

There is no evidence to suggest differing impacts of the withdrawal process on children and young people in schools or parents on the basis of race.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption is intended to minimise disruption to essential services, which may include services that promote racial equality and support individuals from minority ethnic communities. The exemption provides legal clarity that supports the continued delivery of services, including those relevant to the race characteristic.

Religion or belief

There is very limited evidence available on the differing impacts of the withdrawal process on children and young people in schools or parents on the basis of religion or belief.

Evidence from the Scotland’s Census 2022 on ethnic group, national identity, language and religion found that for the first time in Scotland’s Census, the majority of people said they had no religion. In 2022 51.1% of people had no religion, up from 36.7% in 2011.

The increase in people with no religion in Scotland coincided with a decrease in people who said they belong to the Church of Scotland. In 2022 20.4% responded ‘Church of Scotland’ when asked what religion they belong to, down from 32.4% in 2011 and from 42.4% in 2001. This is a fall of 610,100 people since 2011, and over 1 million since 2001. However ‘Church of Scotland’ remained the largest group among those who said they had a religion.

The next largest religious groups were ‘Roman Catholic’ (13.3%), ‘Other Christian’ (5.1%) and ‘Muslim’ (2.2%). These groups saw smaller changes since the last census than ‘Church of Scotland’. The number of people who described themselves as Roman Catholic decreased by 117,700 since 2011, whilst the number in the Other Christian category decreased by 12,000. The number of people who described themselves as Muslim increased by 43,100 over the same period. It is however, important to note that a ‘no religion’ response does not always equate to a lack of belief in relation to this characteristic.

In a recent survey by Young Scot that collected evidence from 11-25 year olds, when asked about experiencing discrimination or negative comments due to their religion or belief, 17% of respondents replied they had experienced discrimination.

However, when broken down by the religion of respondents (where available) this changes. 53% of Muslim respondents had experienced discrimination due to their beliefs. While the number of Sikh, Buddhist, Hindu and Jewish responses to the survey are lower, each group has a higher rate of respondents reporting discrimination or negative comments.

Among those who responded ‘yes’ to having experienced discrimination, over half (53%) reported experiencing discrimination at school, college or university.

53% of respondents had witnessed other people experiencing discrimination or negative comments due to their religion or belief, with the most common location (60% of reported incidents) being in school, college or university.

The evidence available is quite limited and while providing evidence on the specific aspect of religion (the number of religious people in Scotland, and their experiences of bullying) it does not provide evidence on the impacts of the RO/RME withdrawal process with reference to religion or belief.

However, it is important to note that by providing an opportunity for pupils to object to being withdrawn from RO and RME, additional protections are being introduced to ensure they are offered opportunities for spiritual development, learning about different religions and beliefs, and exploring their own religion and beliefs.

As noted above while some concerns have been raised about potential stigma associated with withdrawal and reports of non-inclusive RO, these concerns are not directly relevant to the proposed changes. However, it will be important to consider how updated guidance to accompany the changes might help address these issues.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption is intended to minimise disruption to essential services, which may include services that support individuals of different faiths and beliefs and promote religious inclusion. The exemption provides legal clarity that supports the continued delivery of services, including those relevant to the religion or belief characteristic.

Mariage and civil partnership

There is no evidence to suggest differing impacts of the RO/RME withdrawal process on children and young people in schools or parents on the basis of marriage and civil partnership.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption is intended to minimise disruption to essential services, which may include services that support individuals in marriages or civil partnerships. The exemption provides legal clarity that supports the continued delivery of services, including those relevant to the marriage and civil partnership characteristic.

Impacts by characteristic

Age

Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

Positive impact

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is very limited evidence of the impact on the grounds of age in relation to either pupils or parents. However, by including provision that the pupil is to be presumed to be capable of forming a view unless the contrary is shown, rather than stating a specific age threshold for consideration of the pupil’s views in the withdrawal process, we anticipate that this will help to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support the prevention of discrimination, harassment and victimisation of children. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Advancing equality of opportunity

Positive impact

In relation to the RO/RME changes, although there is very limited evidence of the impact on the grounds of age, by providing all children, regardless of their age, the opportunity to express their views we anticipate that this will be advancing equality of opportunity for children of different ages.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services that advance equality of opportunity for children. Therefore there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Promoting good relations among and between different age groups

Positive impact

In relation to the RO/RME changes, although there is very limited evidence of the impact on the grounds of age, by providing all children, regardless of their age, the opportunity to express their views we anticipate that this will be promoting better relationships between different age groups.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support the promotion of good relationships between children and other age groups. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Disability

Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

Positive impact

In terms of the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence on how the policy will positively or negatively impact disabled people in different ways in relation to eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation.

These changes could be seen to negatively impact pupils or parents with Additional Support Needs or communication difficulties, as communication is key to the decision-making process. However, the changes outline the need for pupils to be able to express their views in a manner that the pupil prefers and requires the school to make an assessment regarding the pupil’s capability to form a view. This means communication issues can be mitigated through considered adjustments and we will consider what guidance might be appropriate to support schools with this as part of the development of wider guidance on the updated withdrawal process.

It is presumed that parents initiating the process by exercising their right to withdraw their child from RO/RME will have previously engaged with the school and will therefore have channels of communication in place which take into account any reasonable adjustments.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services that which support the prevention of discrimination, harassment and victimisation of disabled children and/or other disabled people within the population. Therefore there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Advancing equality of opportunity

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

There is no evidence on how the RO/RME policy changes will positively or negatively impact disabled people in different ways in relation to advancing equality of opportunity,

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support advancing equality of opportunity for disabled children and/or other disabled people within the population. Therefore there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Promoting good relations among and between disabled and non-disabled people

Positive impact

There no evidence on the impact of the RO/RME changes on the grounds of disability but there could be an indirect positive impact arising from pupils being able to decide to remain in RO/RME and that resulting in better relationships between pupils due to RO/RME promoting learning about and reflecting on values such as tolerance and equality.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support promotion of good relations between disabled and non-disabled people. Therefore there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Sex

Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In terms of the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts according to sex.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services that support the prevention of discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of sex. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Advancing equality of opportunity

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts according to sex in relation to advancing equality of opportunity.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support advancing equality of opportunity among the sexes. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Promoting good relations among and between men and women

Positive impact

In terms of the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts according to sex in relation to promoting good relations between men and women. However, there could be an indirect positive impact arising from pupils being able to decide to remain in RO/RME and that resulting in better relationships between pupils due to RO/RME promoting learning about and reflecting on values such as tolerance and equality.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support promoting good relations between men and women. Therefore there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Pregnancy and maternity

Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity in relation to eliminating unlawful discrimination.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support the prevention of discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of maternity and pregnancy. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Advancing equality of opportunity

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity in relation to advancing equality of opportunity.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support advancing equality of opportunity during pregnancy and maternity. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Promoting good relations

Positive impact

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on the grounds of pregnancy and maternity in relation to promoting good relations.

However, there could be an indirect positive impact arising from pupils being able to decide to remain in RO/RME and that resulting in better relationships between pupils due to RO/RME promoting learning about and reflecting on values such as tolerance and equality.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support promoting good relations. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Gender reassignment

Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on trans people in relation to unlawful discrimination.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support the prevention of discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of gender reassignment. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Advancing equality of opportunity

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on trans people in relation to advancing equality of opportunity in the context of gender reassignment.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support advancing equality of opportunity. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Promoting good relations

Positive impact

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on trans people in relation to promoting good relations.

However, there could be an indirect positive impact arising from pupils being able to decide to remain in RO/RME and that resulting in better relationships between pupils due to RO/RME promoting learning about and reflecting on values such as tolerance and equality.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support promoting good relations. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Sexual orientation

Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on LGBT people in relation to unlawful discrimination.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support the prevention of discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of sexual orientation. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Advancing equality of opportunity

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on LGBT people in relation to advancing equality of opportunity.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support advancing equality of opportunity in the context of sexual orientation. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Promoting good relations

Positive impact

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on LGBT people in relation to promoting good relations.

However, there could be an indirect positive impact arising from pupils being able to decide to remain in RO/RME and that resulting in better relationships between pupils due to RO/RME promoting learning about and reflecting on values such as tolerance and equality.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support promoting good relations. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Race

Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on the grounds of race in relation to eliminating unlawful discrimination.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support the prevention of discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of race. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Advancing equality of opportunity

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on the grounds of race in relation to advancing equality of opportunity.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support advancing equality of opportunity in the context of race. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Promoting good race relations

Positive impact

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on the grounds of race in relation to promoting good relations.

However, there could be an indirect positive impact arising from pupils being able to decide to remain in RO/RME and that resulting in better relationships between pupils due to RO/RME promoting learning about and reflecting on values such as tolerance and equality.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support promoting good relations. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Religion or belief

Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

Positive impact

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is evidence of some discrimination being experienced by children and young people in schools due to their religion or beliefs, therefore there could be a positive impact from the RO/RME changes increasing the likelihood of children opting to remain in RO/RME and consequently learning about other religions and potentially becoming more tolerant and understanding of different religions and beliefs.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support the prevention of discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of religion or belief. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Advancing equality of opportunity

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to conclude there would be differential impacts on the grounds of religion or belief in relation to advancing equality of opportunity.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support advancing equality of opportunity in the context of religion or belief. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Promoting good relations

Positive impact

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is a potential positive impact arising from pupils being able to decide to remain in RO/RME and that resulting in better relationships between pupils from different religions due to RO/RME promoting tolerance and understanding of different religions and beliefs.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support promoting good relations. Therefore there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Mariage and civil partnership

Eliminating unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to suggest differential impacts on the grounds marriage and civil partnership in relation to eliminating unlawful discrimination.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services that which support the prevention of discrimination, harassment and victimisation on the basis of marriage and civil partnership. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Advancing equality of opportunity

Positive impact (UNCRC), neutral impact (RO/RME)

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to suggest differential impacts on the grounds of marriage and civil partnership in relation to advancing equality of opportunity.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support advancing equality of opportunity in the context of marriage and civil partnership. Therefore, there is a potentially positive impact identified.

Promoting good relations

Positive impact

In relation to the RO/RME changes, there is no evidence to suggest differential impacts on the grounds marriage and civil partnership in relation to promoting good relations.

However, there could be an indirect positive impact arising from pupils being able to decide to remain in RO/RME and that resulting in better relationships between pupils due to RO/RME promoting learning about and reflecting on values such as tolerance and equality.

Regarding the UNCRC Act amendment, the exemption will help to minimise disruption to essential services, which might include services which support promoting good relations. Therefore there is a potentially positive impact identified.