Asked by: Baroness Jenkin of Kennington (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government why the Pension Protection Fund's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Strategy 2025–28, published on 12 June, uses the term "gender" rather than "sex", and what plans they have to revise the strategy in the light of the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Pension Protection Fund has chosen in its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion strategy to further its core belief of supporting everyone, beyond the protected characteristics as defined by law. The Supreme Court decision has prompted a consultation by the Equality and Human Rights Commission on its Code of Practice for services, public functions and associations. Once statutory guidance has been published, we will work with our key stakeholders to inform our ongoing approach.
Asked by: Baroness Jenkin of Kennington (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Sherlock on 18 September (HL1037), whether the attire described in the Daily Telegraph article “Transgender civil servant wearing ‘fetish gear’ sparks Whitehall row”, published on 4 August, accords with the Department for Work and Pensions’ interpretation of professional and business-like clothing.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
I refer the noble Baroness to the answer I gave to question HL1037 on 18 September.
The DWP’s standards of behaviour statement requires employees to dress in a professional and business-like way. Professional and business-like has a normal, everyday meaning.
Asked by: Baroness Jenkin of Kennington (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 7 August (HL346), whether this clothing policy applies to all staff in the Department for Work and Pensions.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The DWP’s standards of behaviour statement requires employees to dress in a professional and business-like way. Professional and business-like has a normal, everyday meaning.