The Official Controls (Location of Border Control Posts) (Scotland) Regulations 2026 - Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment

Section 3: Assessment of Impact on Business, Investment and the Economy

3. Costs to businesses

No additional costs will be imposed on any business as a result of the proposals, which will simply provide an opportunity for the opening of new ferry routes. No concerns over costs were raised by businesses in consultation responses.

3.1 Other potential impacts on business or the wider economy

No other unintended business consequences were raised during the consultation, and the costs to operators or businesses who may choose to engage with the updated BCP conditions may be considered unquantifiable.

3.2 Benefits to business

The proposal aims to offer the possibility for new ferry routes between Scotland and continental Europe, offering new opportunities for trade and tourism. It is deregulatory in nature.

3.3 Specific Small business impacts

No specific impact on small businesses is anticipated given the proposal’s deregulatory nature and its anticipated scope of impact which is limited to specific port operators.

3.4 Impact on Scottish firms’ competitiveness

The impact on Scottish firms’ competitiveness is anticipated to be largely positive, given the proposal’s deregulatory nature and its aim of facilitating additional international trade and travel routes.

3.5 Impact on Scottish firms’ ability to Trade Internationally

The impact on Scottish firms’ ability to trade internationally is anticipated to be positive, given the proposal’s deregulatory nature and the aim of facilitating additional international trade and travel routes.

3.6 Impact on Investment opportunities for Scotland and Scottish Firms

The proposals are expected to have a neutral to positive effect on Scotland’s attractiveness to investment given the proposal’s deregulatory nature. This policy could facilitate a new ferry route, offering opportunities for investment, two-way travel, tourism and trade between Scotland and continental Europe.

3.7 Impact on Employees

The proposal aims to facilitate the establishment of new ferry routes, which may provide new employment opportunities.

3.8 Impact on Consumers – The Consumer Duty

Impact on consumers may range from neutral to potentially positive, if more varied goods are available as a result of new ferry routes.

3.9 Impact on Regulators

No specific conversations have taken place with regulators due to the limited scope of the instrument.