3. Steps to follow
Step 1: Planning
Contact EAU to:
- identify what type of impact assessment is needed
- arrange expert input at draft stage to help articulate the policy and options
- complete a Triage Assessment Form to identify the best approach for external
- plan the project resources needed to ensure speedy development and internal clearance
Step 2: Prepare a draft impact assessment
Use the Impact Assessment template. Draft any simple impact assessments yourself, but get support for complex areas. Specialists from EAU (economists, social researchers, statisticians, operational researchers) can advise on:
- level of analytical depth required
- policy rationale and policy objectives
- considering alternative policy options
- assessment and quantification of possible impacts
Further guidance:
- BIS – How-to guide
- HMT Green Book and HMT Magenta Book – Technical, textbook guidance on how to conduct appraisal and evaluation
Step 3: Internal clearance
Print off this checklist – make sure you’ve completed everything on it.
Get sign-off from:
- EAU Chief Economist (first)
- the responsible minister (second)
Allow at least a week for a response.
Step 4: External clearance
Policies that have a regulatory (or deregulatory impact) impact on business require clearance from the Regulatory Policy Committee (RPC). The RPC will assess the quality of the evidence in the impact assessment, but will not make judgements on policy desirability.
Proposals that significantly increase burdens on business by more than £1m per annum need to have a “full opinion” issued prior to collective agreement at both consultation and final stage, a process which can take up to 30 days.
Fast track proposals need only submit the Triage Assessment Form with collective agreement at consultation stage and secure a “validation” of impacts alongside collective agreement at final stage. These processes can take up to ten days. Summary of RPC process.
Collective agreement is obtained through the relevant Cabinet Committee(s) where any impact assessment is submitted alongside the clearance letter and policy documents. Proposals that have an impact on business must be seen by the Reducing Regulation Committee (RRC).
