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

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2025 to Question 34874 on Combined Authorities, for what reason that consultation asks respondents for their gender rather than their sex; and what her Department's policy is on the use of the phrase gender, as opposed to the phrase sex.

Collecting demographic information as part of conducting consultations helps us to understand whether the responses we receive are representative of those who live and work in the areas involved in the consultations. This will also help MHCLG conduct an equality impact assessment to ensure compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty. We are not asking for information that identifies individuals in consultation responses, and the demographic information provided is anonymous. We followed agreed guidance on how demographic questions are phrased, as laid down by the GOV.UK Design System for all government consultations.