Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the potential costs and impact of the new Socio-Economic Duty on businesses involved in public procurement.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Commencement of the Socio-Economic Duty is a priority and we are working towards that. Only listed public authorities will be in scope of the duty and close consideration is being given to ensure the duty is impactful in the Government's drive to tackle entrenched inequality. The Government is following the usual processes for assessing the impact of the duty.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what estimate she has made of the costs to the public purse of implementing the new Socio-Economic Duty on public bodies.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

Commencement of the Socio-Economic Duty is a priority and we are working towards that. Only listed public authorities will be in scope of the duty and close consideration is being given to ensure the duty is impactful in the Government's drive to tackle entrenched inequality. The Government is following the usual processes for assessing the impact of the duty.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will set out how she intends to maintain external scrutiny of the Government’s performance in relation to policy related to social mobility following the closure of the Social Mobility Commission.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Minister for Women and Equalities held meetings with Alun Francis in his capacity as Chair of the Social Mobility Commission on 3 September 2024 and 7 September 2026.

Officials are currently taking forward the creation of a new Class Unit and closure of the Social Mobility Commission to ensure a smooth, staged transition. All changes will be carried out with appropriate consultation and full support for affected staff. Changes will be handled in line with relevant policies, and in consultation with Trade Unions.

This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, can thrive. One of the Class Unit’s early priorities will be the socio-economic duty. We are currently working towards commencement, which includes drafting statutory guidance that will clarify how the duty can be applied effectively. Further announcements about the new unit’s role and responsibilities will be shared in due course.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will set out the intended structure and civil service reporting lines of the proposed Class Unit.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Minister for Women and Equalities held meetings with Alun Francis in his capacity as Chair of the Social Mobility Commission on 3 September 2024 and 7 September 2026.

Officials are currently taking forward the creation of a new Class Unit and closure of the Social Mobility Commission to ensure a smooth, staged transition. All changes will be carried out with appropriate consultation and full support for affected staff. Changes will be handled in line with relevant policies, and in consultation with Trade Unions.

This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, can thrive. One of the Class Unit’s early priorities will be the socio-economic duty. We are currently working towards commencement, which includes drafting statutory guidance that will clarify how the duty can be applied effectively. Further announcements about the new unit’s role and responsibilities will be shared in due course.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how the new Class Unit will define “class”.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Minister for Women and Equalities held meetings with Alun Francis in his capacity as Chair of the Social Mobility Commission on 3 September 2024 and 7 September 2026.

Officials are currently taking forward the creation of a new Class Unit and closure of the Social Mobility Commission to ensure a smooth, staged transition. All changes will be carried out with appropriate consultation and full support for affected staff. Changes will be handled in line with relevant policies, and in consultation with Trade Unions.

This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, can thrive. One of the Class Unit’s early priorities will be the socio-economic duty. We are currently working towards commencement, which includes drafting statutory guidance that will clarify how the duty can be applied effectively. Further announcements about the new unit’s role and responsibilities will be shared in due course.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what meetings she has held since taking office with representatives of the Social Mobility Commission; and if she will provide the dates of those meetings.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Minister for Women and Equalities held meetings with Alun Francis in his capacity as Chair of the Social Mobility Commission on 3 September 2024 and 7 September 2026.

Officials are currently taking forward the creation of a new Class Unit and closure of the Social Mobility Commission to ensure a smooth, staged transition. All changes will be carried out with appropriate consultation and full support for affected staff. Changes will be handled in line with relevant policies, and in consultation with Trade Unions.

This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, can thrive. One of the Class Unit’s early priorities will be the socio-economic duty. We are currently working towards commencement, which includes drafting statutory guidance that will clarify how the duty can be applied effectively. Further announcements about the new unit’s role and responsibilities will be shared in due course.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the costs to the public purse of closing down the Social Mobility Commission.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Minister for Women and Equalities held meetings with Alun Francis in his capacity as Chair of the Social Mobility Commission on 3 September 2024 and 7 September 2026.

Officials are currently taking forward the creation of a new Class Unit and closure of the Social Mobility Commission to ensure a smooth, staged transition. All changes will be carried out with appropriate consultation and full support for affected staff. Changes will be handled in line with relevant policies, and in consultation with Trade Unions.

This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, can thrive. One of the Class Unit’s early priorities will be the socio-economic duty. We are currently working towards commencement, which includes drafting statutory guidance that will clarify how the duty can be applied effectively. Further announcements about the new unit’s role and responsibilities will be shared in due course.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what estimate she has made of the costs to the public purse of implementing the proposed Class Unit.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Minister for Women and Equalities held meetings with Alun Francis in his capacity as Chair of the Social Mobility Commission on 3 September 2024 and 7 September 2026.

Officials are currently taking forward the creation of a new Class Unit and closure of the Social Mobility Commission to ensure a smooth, staged transition. All changes will be carried out with appropriate consultation and full support for affected staff. Changes will be handled in line with relevant policies, and in consultation with Trade Unions.

This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, can thrive. One of the Class Unit’s early priorities will be the socio-economic duty. We are currently working towards commencement, which includes drafting statutory guidance that will clarify how the duty can be applied effectively. Further announcements about the new unit’s role and responsibilities will be shared in due course.

Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will set out the intended headcount of the proposed Class Unit.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Home Office)

The Minister for Women and Equalities held meetings with Alun Francis in his capacity as Chair of the Social Mobility Commission on 3 September 2024 and 7 September 2026.

Officials are currently taking forward the creation of a new Class Unit and closure of the Social Mobility Commission to ensure a smooth, staged transition. All changes will be carried out with appropriate consultation and full support for affected staff. Changes will be handled in line with relevant policies, and in consultation with Trade Unions.

This Government is committed to ensuring that everyone, no matter their background, can thrive. One of the Class Unit’s early priorities will be the socio-economic duty. We are currently working towards commencement, which includes drafting statutory guidance that will clarify how the duty can be applied effectively. Further announcements about the new unit’s role and responsibilities will be shared in due course.

Found: Bristol North East) Patrick Hurley (Labour; Southport) John Milne (Liberal Democrat; Horsham) Joy Morrissey

Found: London UNIwise Education Solutions Limited Manchester M3 2JA Other Committed North West England Joy Morrissey