Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment her Department has carried out of the effect of proposed changes to the size of the budget for the Equality and Human Rights Commission on (a) the service it is able to support and (b) access to justice for (i) people who do not qualify for legal aid, (ii) people who cannot afford tribunal fees and (iii) people who do not have a local law centre or whose local Citizens Advice Bureau has closed.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has and will continue to receive sufficient funds to enable it to fulfil its statutory functions. These functions include duties to promote and encourage equality and diversity and human rights, and powers for implementing inquiries, investigations and enforcement actions for equality and diversity. As now, the EHRC will continue to support people in individual cases where these are of strategic significance, for example in clarifying the relevant law.

Advice for individuals more generally is available from the Equality Advisory and Support Service, which is also funded by the Government.