Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by the Minister for Women and Equalities on 2 August (HC1880), what plans they have to consult on such changes to gender recognition laws; and whether the legislative changes would be delivered through primary or secondary legislation.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
In our manifesto, we committed to modernising, simplifying, and reforming gender recognition law. We will remove indignities for trans people who deserve recognition and acceptance whilst retaining the need for a diagnosis of gender dysphoria.
We will set out our next steps on this work in due course, including on any consultation and the appropriate legislative vehicle for reform.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Twycross on 29 July 2024 (HL467), whether ministers approved the change to the term "LGBT+" following the general election.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Yes. The Government uses the term LGBT+ to reflect the breadth and diversity of the community as well as the preferences of most LGBT+ people. This term also resonates with language used by international partners and institutions. Whilst this is the Government's standard terminology, there may be occasions where it is appropriate to utilise variations that reflect a narrower or wider focus.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Baroness Smith of Malvern on 25 July (HL351), which organisations (rather than individuals) responded to the consultation.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Education)
The Relationships Education, Relationships and Sex Education (RSE) and Health Education consultation received over 143,000 responses. These are currently being analysed and the findings, including analytics about the respondents, will be published once my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education has had an opportunity to look at them carefully, alongside discussing with stakeholders and considering the relevant evidence, including the Cass Review which has since been published, before setting out next steps.
The consultation did not ask respondents to disclose the organisation they represent, and responses from organisations were only categorised by type, such as school, local authority, union or charity so we are unable to provide a comprehensive list.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Home Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Hanson of Flint on 7 August (HL347), whether misgendering will be a material consideration under their legislative proposals to make all forms of hate crime an aggravated offence.
Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)
The Aggravated Offences, set out in the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, currently cover the protected characteristics of race and religion. These offences mirror certain non-hate crime equivalent offences (that is: assault, criminal damage, public order offences or harassment) but with higher maximum sentences.
The Government's manifesto commitment to “protect LGBT+ and disabled people by making all existing strands of hate crime an aggravated offence” intends to extend the Aggravated Offences so that they cover all existing strands of hate crime, meaning that the offences will be extended to additionally cover the protected characteristics of sexual orientation, disability and transgender identity.
We are carefully considering how best to deliver this commitment and will set out our next steps in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Vallance of Balham on 1 August (HL420), whether they will publish a copy of the submitted report.
Answered by Lord Vallance of Balham - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)
The original date for final reporting was the end of August 2024. However, the review is ongoing to ensure that all stakeholders have been properly engaged, and to ensure the complex topics within the report are appropriately considered.
Upon final receipt of the full report, the government will consider next steps, including publication.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Justice:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the Bar Standards Board 'Consultation on the Proposed Amendments to the Equality Rules', published on 3 September, proposing creating a duty on all barristers to promote equality, diversity and inclusion when practising or otherwise providing legal services; and of the effect on the Government Legal Service.
Answered by Lord Ponsonby of Shulbrede - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Government has not made any assessment of the Bar Standards Board consultation paper published on 3 September; and the effect on the Government Legal Service. The legal profession in England and Wales is independent of Government. Statutory responsibility for encouraging a diverse legal profession sits with the approved regulators, overseen by the oversight regulator, the Legal Services Board.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they will place in the Library of the House copies of any (1) Family Test, (2) environmental principles, and (3) equality analysis, documents that they have produced in respect of the Social Fund Winter Fuel Payment Regulations 2024.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)
A Family Test and an Equality Analysis were produced as part of the Ministerial decision-making process in line with the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duties. The environmental impact was given due consideration, which concluded that there was no direct environmental impact.
The equality analysis was published on 13 September and is available on Gov.UK ( DWP Freedom of Information response - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)). I will deposit a copy of the equality analysis and Family Test Assessment in the House Libraries.
By convention, such analyses are not published alongside secondary legislation. However, in view of the close public interest in this issue I have decided, exceptionally, to publish in this case.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their policy on (1) Whitehall departments, and (2) arms-length bodies, spending taxpayers’ money on affiliating to Stonewall.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Government departments and arm’s-length bodies are responsible for decisions about whether to buy services from third sector organisations to support equality, diversity and inclusion in their organisations. Currently no government department is a member of Stonewall.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government how many responses have been received to the call for input on incorrect guidance on single-sex spaces and gender self-identification, published on 1 May; and what is the estimated date for publishing the Government response to the consultation and the summary of responses.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The call for input, published under the previous Government, closed on 26 June. We are currently reviewing the responses and considering the next steps. We will share further details, including the number of valid responses, in due course.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have any plans to review the four per cent fees charged to receiving parents in the Child Maintenance Service.
Answered by Viscount Younger of Leckie - Shadow Minister (Work and Pensions)
There are no plans to abolish the four per cent collection charge for receiving parents. This charge only applies to the collect and pay service and is intended to provide a parent with an incentive to use the direct pay service which has no ongoing fees.
The collection charge for the receiving parent is deducted only when maintenance is paid, with no money owed to the Child Maintenance Service if maintenance is not paid. These charges contribute to the cost of running an expensive service, which remains subsidised by the taxpayer.