Oral Answers to Questions

Henry Smith Excerpts

Thursday 14th February 2013 Commons Chamber

[Mrs Grant]

The Government have provided a wide range of targeted support through Jobcentre Plus, the Work programme, the Youth Contract and our “get Britain working” measures. As a result of the increased flexibility that we have given to providers, interventions can be tailored to specific needs.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

6. What progress she has made on the reform of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Women and Equalities (Mrs Helen Grant)]

We have completed many key aspects of our reform programme. We have appointed a dynamic new chair and a strong and diverse board, and have reached agreement on a budget. We want the Equality and Human Rights Commission to go from strength to strength, and to be one of our most valued and respected national institutions.

[Henry Smith]

What effect might the reform have on the commission’s status as an A-rated national human rights institution?

[Mrs Grant]

We all want a strong and effective A-rated human rights institution, and that is what our reforms are intended to achieve. We engage in positive, ongoing dialogue with the international co-ordinating committee, and we will ensure that it continues.