Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Bell Ribeiro-Addy and Elizabeth Truss

Wednesday 25th November 2020 Commons Chamber

[Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Streatham) (Lab)]

The EHRC report on the hostile environment released today shows just how bad the situation has been over the years. It is clear that the EHRC does not have the capacity to launch an inquiry into every piece of legislation that has had its equality compliance questioned. Will the Minister explain what steps are being taken to ensure that future legislation is not labelled as complying with the public sector duty when it so clearly does not?

[Elizabeth Truss]

It is very important that we conduct equality impact assessments, but it is also important that they are kept confidential within the Government to ensure that there is not a chilling effect and we are able to have an honest debate about achieving equality across all Departments.