Section 17 - Power to reduce or remove burdens
37.This section replicates and updates the power to remove burdens by order in respect of both the public sector and the private sector in terms of section 1 of the Deregulation and Contracting Out Act 1994 (which is repealed). ‘Burden’ means a financial cost; an administrative inconvenience; an obstacle to best regulatory practice; an obstacle to efficiency, productivity, or profitability; or a sanction, criminal or otherwise, which affects the carrying on of any lawful activity. This section mirrors the regime in section 1 of the Legislative and Regulatory Reform Act 2006 and together effectively provides a common regime for the removal or reduction of burdens in devolved and reserved areas in Scotland.