Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the Access to Elected Office Fund: Evaluation Report published by the Government Equalities Office on 18 June 2018, whether people seeking to be a candidate in the next 12 months that require training and mentoring will be able to access the funding announced on 17 May 2018.

We are working on what the interim funding will cover and how it will be delivered. Further details will be announced in due course and will take account of other relevant provision – for example, as part of its Be a Councillor programme, the Local Government Association (LGA) provides on-line information and, via its four Political Groups, face-to-face training and other support.

The Be a Councillor programme is funded by an improvement grant from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government and promotes the role of councillor to individuals, with a particular focus on underrepresented groups. The LGA Political Groups delivering the programme include smaller parties and independents. This reflects my belief that it is for political parties to do what is necessary to support all their candidates and prospective candidates, including those who have a disability.