Scottish Marine Recovery Fund: Partial Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment

Annex A: Consumer Duty Impact Assessment Not Required Template

Title of the programme/proposal/decision

Scottish Marine Recovery Fund

Programme/proposal/decision/implementation date

The Scottish Government is considering the launch of a Scottish Marine Recovery Fund (MRF) to support the growth of the offshore wind sector in Scotland, by streamlining the process for developers to discharge their environmental compensation conditions where required.

The Energy Act 2023 enables the UK Government to make provision for the establishment, operation and management of one or more MRFs. For a Scottish MRF to be established, the delegating of functions by the UK Government is required. While a joint UK-wide MRF was considered, a Scottish MRF enables optimisation of policy, governance and operational oversight for Scottish Ministers, and most effectively meets the unique legal and policy requirements of the Scottish consenting system.

Directorate/Division/Service/Team

MRF Team, PACE Division, Offshore Wind Directorate

Responsible officer for taking decision

Richard McLeod

Who else participated in taking the decision

Joel Hankinson

Was the decision taken by a partnership?

No

Rationale for decision

Whilst it has been assessed that establishing a Scottish MRF is strategic in nature, potential impacts from the MRF are not anticipated to impact consumers as defined by the Consumer Duty Impact Assessment (CDIA). The reasoning behind this decision being that a Scottish MRF will not affect the quality, availability or price of any goods or services on the market.

Declaration

I confirm that the decision not to perform a CDIA has been authorised by:

Name and job title: Lucy Law, Deputy Director Planning and Research, Offshore Wind Directorate

Date: 21/07/2025