Asked by: Lord Reay (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Written Answer by the Parliamentary Under Secretary for Culture, Media and Sport on 15 November 2024 (HC13602), what guidance they have issued regarding people who have a different sex recorded at birth participating in competitive sport, including where biological sex gives a competitive advantage.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Sporting bodies have a responsibility to protect the integrity and fairness of women's sport and the safety of all participants, particularly when it is not possible to balance those factors with inclusion.
National Governing Bodies set their own policies for who can participate in their sports in domestic competitions. Our UK sports councils have produced guidance to help domestic sports bodies determine the right position for their sport. The guidance covers transgender participation in sport, and makes clear that fairness and safety cannot be balanced with inclusion in gender-affected sport.
Asked by: Lord Reay (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government, with reference to the Scottish Government Chief Statistician's publication, Data collection and publication guidance: Sex, Gender Identity, Trans Status, published on 16 October 2024, what discussions has the Office for Equality and Opportunity had with the Office for National Statistics on produced an equivalent version of recognised genders for statistics in England and Wales; and whether the (1) Office for Equality and Opportunity, and (2) Office for National Statistics, have produced any other internal or external guidance on the categorisation of different gender identities.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO) has not had any discussions with the Office for National Statistics (ONS) about the Scottish Government’s publication ‘Sex, gender identity, trans status - data collection and publication: guidance’ or on producing an equivalent version of recognised genders for statistics in England and Wales.
The OEO has not produced any internal or external guidance on the categorisation of different gender identities.
Asked by: Lord Reay (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they have an agreed single definition of “woman”.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Equality Act 2010 states that a woman is a female of any age. This Government is steadfast in its commitment to supporting all women including making work pay and keeping our streets safe.
Asked by: Lord Reay (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the effect of the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority's proposals on mandatory equality reporting on the competitiveness of financial services companies operating in the United Kingdom.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government has no plans to reform the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), but it is committed to working with the FCA to ensure that it is supporting the government’s growth mission. Effective, proportionate regulation is key to a thriving UK economy and delivering the government’s mission to drive the inclusive growth and international competitiveness of the UK’s financial services sector.
The FCA and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) are non-governmental bodies which are independent from the Treasury and have broad powers to make rules in order to advance their statutory objectives. The regulators are required by legislation to carry out their general functions, which include rule-making, in a way that advances their competitiveness and growth objectives.
In line with statutory requirements, the FCA and PRA have included in their consultations an explanation of the compatibility of the proposed rules with their duties, including consideration of the competitiveness and growth objectives.
Asked by: Lord Reay (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Livermore on 20 September (HL1065), what plans they have, if any, to reform the Financial Conduct Authority to help make the City of London more competitive.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government has no plans to reform the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), but it is committed to working with the FCA to ensure that it is supporting the government’s growth mission. Effective, proportionate regulation is key to a thriving UK economy and delivering the government’s mission to drive the inclusive growth and international competitiveness of the UK’s financial services sector.
The FCA and Prudential Regulation Authority (PRA) are non-governmental bodies which are independent from the Treasury and have broad powers to make rules in order to advance their statutory objectives. The regulators are required by legislation to carry out their general functions, which include rule-making, in a way that advances their competitiveness and growth objectives.
In line with statutory requirements, the FCA and PRA have included in their consultations an explanation of the compatibility of the proposed rules with their duties, including consideration of the competitiveness and growth objectives.
Asked by: Lord Reay (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether (1) the Bank of England, (2) the Financial Conduct Authority and (3) the Financial Ombudsman Service receive advice from, or participate in, programmes overseen by Stonewall.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
This is a matter for the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), and Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) which are independent, non-governmental bodies.
The Bank of England, FCA and FOS will each respond to the Noble Lord by letter, and a copy of these letters will be placed in the Library of the House of Lords.
Asked by: Lord Reay (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the Financial Ombudsman Service decision of September in relation to MoneySuperMarket, what is the policy position of (1) the Office for Equality and Opportunity and (2) the Equality and Human Rights Commission on whether (a) gender identity and (b) non-binary status are protected characteristics under the Equality Act 2010.
Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Equality Act 2010 (‘the Act’) provides protection against discrimination, harassment and victimisation based on the following protected characteristics: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. The Government is proud of the Act and the rights and protections it affords, and we are committed to upholding this important piece of legislation. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is independent of the Government, therefore, we cannot speak on its behalf.
Asked by: Lord Reay (Conservative - Excepted Hereditary)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the recent increase in referrals to heart failure diagnostic clinics throughout NHS Trusts in England.
Answered by Lord Kamall - Shadow Minister (Health and Social Care)
No specific assessment has been made.