Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, if he will (a) publish the statement of requirements for the contract reference CCZZ22A09 awarded to Basis Social on 30 September and published by his Department on 12 October 2022 and (b) explain the purpose of that contract.

It is Cabinet Office policy to publish Contracts with a value of over £10,000 on Contracts Finder within 30 days of Contract Award. Cabinet Office intends to publish the Statements of Requirements for this Contract within that timeframe.

The purpose of the contract is for qualitative analysis of terminology relating to people’s ethnic identity. It will focus on the opinions of people from different ethnic groups exploring what is or isn’t inclusive and how to most appropriately reflect their ethnic identity. The findings will be used as part of the evidence base for the development of a number of key outputs including:

• harmonised ethnicity classifications for use by the Government Statistical Service

• and recommendations which will encourage responsible and accurate reporting on race issues.