Attachment A - Specific Impact Tests

Competition Assessment

In terms of competition, the introduction of higher fees and charges for services will not affect the balance of the relevant transport and support industries in Great Britain. The increases in fees will apply to all operators and presenters equally whether large or small largely in proportion to the number and type of vehicles operated or supported. The knock-on effect on the users of transport services would also be proportional to the use made of such services and have no effect on competition. The increases would have minimal impact on the competitiveness of GB service users in relation to users of similar services based overseas, particularly bearing in mind that operators in other EU countries are subject to broadly equivalent national inspection and enforcement regimes.

Small Firms Impact Test

Over half of all licensed operators operate between 1 and 5 vehicles, so a large proportion of the businesses affected by the cost increases are small businesses.

A number of small businesses will be asked for their views in the consultation either directly or through their membership of the Trade and Business Associations such as the Road Haulage Association, the Freight Transport Association, the Confederation of Passenger Transport, the Retail Motor Industry Federation and the Federation of Small Businesses.

Almost all fees are dependent on the number and type of vehicles involved. The exception is those elements of O licence fees which apply per licence. Whilst the effect on a 1 vehicle business at 0.025% of total costs is greater than that on a slightly larger 4 vehicle business at 0.014%, both represent an extremely small proportion of total costs. Small businesses will therefore not be unduly disadvantaged.

Carbon Assessment

Option 1 (increase statutory fees as proposed) will have no effect on carbon use or emission of greenhouse gases.

Option 2 could have an adverse effect in these areas because our customers may have to drive further to get tests carried out due particularly to the local effects of service cutbacks. Whilst it is almost impossible to accurately estimate the level of such changes in mileage travelled, we consider that the impact will not be significant.

Race, Disability and Gender Equality; and Human Rights

The proposed statutory fee increases are not believed to have any effect in the areas of race equality, disability equality, gender equality or human rights.

Rural Proofing

Option 1 would have no disproportionate impact on rural areas.

Option 2 could have minor effects on rural areas in that the frequency of testing at part-time stations may decrease to maximise the efficiency of staff who have to travel to provide the service. This would mean that rural operators would either have less flexibility in test planning or would have to travel further to obtain a test at a more convenient date. We do not, however, consider that these effects would have a significant impact on operators in rural communities.

Specific Impact tests not carried out

Other specific impact tests were not carried out since the proposed statutory fee increases do not impact on these areas.

Specific Impact Tests: Checklist

Use the table below to demonstrate how broadly you have considered the potential impacts of your policy options.

Ensure that the results of any tests that impact on the cost-benefit analysis are contained within the main evidence base; other results may be annexed.

Type of testing undertaken	Results in Evidence Base?	Results annexed?
Competition Assessment	Yes	No
Small Firms Impact Test	Yes	No
Legal Aid	No	No
Sustainable Development	No	No
Carbon Assessment	Yes	No
Other Environment	No	No
Health Impact Assessment	No	No
Race Equality	Yes	No
Disability Equality	Yes	No
Gender Equality	Yes	No
Human Rights	Yes	No
Rural Proofing	Yes	No