Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish data on the number of traveller caravans on unauthorised developments on land (a) owned by travellers and (b) not owned by travellers by local authority in each year between 2015 and 2025.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Data on the number of traveller caravans on unauthorised sites on land (a) owned by travellers, i.e. unauthorised developments, and (b) on land not owned by travellers, i.e. unauthorised encampments, by each local planning authority is available from Live Table 1 of the published Official Statistics on gov.uk here. The Table in question presents data for the last six counts. However, data going back to 2015 can be found in the same table of previous releases.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his department holds data on the number of incidences of traveller caravans on unauthorised developments on land owned by travellers being used to provide accommodation for undocumented migrants.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department does not hold this data. The Traveller Caravan Count includes data on the number of caravans and traveller sites in England. It does not include the number of occupants residing in these caravans or caravan sites, nor their characteristics.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, if he will publish data on the number of local authorities that do not operate out-of-hours planning enforcement teams.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department does not collect data on the operating hours of planning enforcement teams.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will (a) withdraw and (b) instruct any government departments or arms length bodies to alter any policies based on the Cabinet Office's Gender Identity and Intersex Model Policy Package.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The Cabinet Office continues to engage fully with departments on the review of the model Gender Identity and Intersex Policy Package. Once the review is completed, we will share the revised policy and guidance with departments.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what assessment he has made of the potential implications for his policies of the inaccessibility of land owned by travellers when local authorities carry out statutory counting of caravans on traveller sites; and what assessment he has made of the potential impact of inaccessible land on the reliability of the figures published in his Department’s Traveller Count statistics.

Answered by Matthew Pennycook - Minister of State (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

My Department recognises that access to traveller sites may not always be possible. This fact is reflected in the guidance provided to local planning authorities when carrying out the Traveller Caravan Count, which advises that such sites should still be included in the submitted figures, and an estimated count included in the total(s). Local planning authorities are required to indicate in the submitted data whether they were able to access sites in order to carry out the count.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether (a) his Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by his Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

The Government has set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arms length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and the Government is reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the answer of 2 March 2026 to Question 113919 on Equality: Gender Recognition, in which month the Cabinet Office began the review of the model Gender Identity and Intersex Policy Package.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

All model policies provided by the Cabinet Office for departmental use are kept under continuous review. Any review of the model Gender Identity and Intersex Policy will be impacted by factors such as the Supreme Court Ruling in the For Women Scotland case.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether (a) her Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by her Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Lucy Rigby - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

Cabinet Office have set out the expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently. The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and Cabinet Office are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether (a) his Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by his Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

We have set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether (a) her Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by her Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

We have set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and their arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether (a) her Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by her Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

We have set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether (a) his Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by his Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

We have set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether (a) his Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by his Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

The Government has set out its expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether (a) his Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by his Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

We have set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arms length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Department for Science, Innovation & Technology:

To ask the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, whether (a) her Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by her Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

We have set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether (a) her Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by her Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport is aware of the Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers (2025) and its implications for the interpretation of the protected characteristic of sex in the Equality Act 2010.

The Department awaits the publication of the updated statutory cross-government guidance from the Office for Equality and Opportunity and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, to support consistent implementation of the judgment across departments and public bodies. The Department regularly reviews its policies and guidance to ensure they remain legally compliant and consistent with evolving case law. Once the statutory guidance is published, the Department will move quickly to consider future policy.

The Department’s arm’s‑length bodies are being kept informed of this process and will be expected to make any necessary updates in line with the forthcoming cross‑government guidance. All bodies sponsored by the Department are required to comply with the Equality Act 2010 and to take account of relevant case law, and we will continue to support them to do so.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether (a) her Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by her Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

We have set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether (a) her Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by her Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Olivia Bailey - Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Department for Education) (Equalities)

All duty bearers, including departments and arm’s-length bodies, are expected to follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling. My right hon. Friend, the Prime Minister, has underlined this recently.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers. This is being carefully reviewed by the Cabinet Office and will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether (a) her Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by her Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Seema Malhotra - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations which the Minister for Women and Equalities is reviewing with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers, which will apply to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. We stand ready to follow the guidance when it issues.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether (a) his Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by his Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Nick Thomas-Symonds - Paymaster General and Minister for the Cabinet Office

We have set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether (a) his Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by his Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Samantha Dixon - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

We have set out our expectation that all duty bearers, including Departments and arm’s-length bodies, follow the law as clarified by the Supreme Court ruling and seek specialist legal advice where necessary. The Prime Minister has underlined this recently.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has submitted a draft Code of Practice on services, public functions and associations to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether (a) his Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by his Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Karin Smyth - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department regularly reviews its policies and guidance to ensure they remain legally compliant and consistent with evolving case law. This includes reviewing its Gender Identity and Intersex policy package following the Supreme Court ruling in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025]. The Department also engages with its arms-length bodies to ensure their internal policies align with statutory obligations and relevant judicial rulings.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether (a) his Department and (b) the arms length bodies sponsored by his Department are compliant with the Supreme Court ruling in the case of For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025].

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

The Department for Work and Pensions is aware of the Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers (2025) and its implications for the interpretation of the protected characteristic of sex in the Equality Act 2010.

We are currently awaiting updated cross-government guidance, including from the Government Equalities Office and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, to support consistent implementation of the judgment across departments and public bodies. As is standard practice following a significant legal ruling of this kind, the Department is reviewing its existing policies and guidance to ensure full alignment once this updated central advice is issued.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, what memoranda of understanding were signed by Ministers in his Department with i) national governments and ii) representatives of national governments in 2025.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

Departmental Ministers engage with a range of national governments and representatives to support delivery of the department’s objectives.

The Department works closely with counterpart ministries to develop and maintain a range of ongoing partnerships that help advance our Clean Power 2030 Mission and wider priorities including the Growth Mission.

Excise