Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Baroness Featherstone and Baroness Clark of Kilwinning

Thursday 22nd July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Lynne Featherstone]

It is nice that my hon. Friend and I are together again after our time on the Greater London assembly, along with many Opposition Members.

The work relating to our commitment is still at an early stage. It is important for us to build on existing programmes. Some Whitehall Departments already run internships in the summer development programme. The Cabinet Office is examining current practice and future options, and I look forward to working with it in due course to ensure that the practice is extended to all Departments.

[Katy Clark (North Ayrshire and Arran) (Lab)]

This year’s Budget cut the budget of the Equality and Human Rights Commission by 15%, and further cuts are expected. Does the Minister believe that the commission will be able to continue to carry out its statutory duties, and can she tell us what impact the cut will have on the initiatives to which she has referred?

[Lynne Featherstone]

There have been cuts in all budgets. The EHRC will probably concentrate on its core functions, and I expect its budget to be sufficient to enable it to deliver the equality that we all require from it.