Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what internal processes Government legislation goes through to ensure compliance with the United Nations Convention on Persons with Disabilities.

Although the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is not incorporated into domestic law, the Equality Act 2010 provides, in domestic legislation, protections for people in Great Britain against discrimination, harassment, or victimisation, because of any of the nine protected characteristics set out in the Act – which include disability.

The Equality Act 2010 also includes the Public Sector Equality Duty, to promote equality of opportunity for all. Public sector bodies bound by the duty must consider the impact of their key decisions on, among others, disabled people. Equivalent provisions for Northern Ireland are set out in a range of devolved legislation.