Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of undertaking equality impact assessments for staff returning to work with HM Courts and Tribunal Service which take into account an employee's protected characteristics.

HMCTS have comprehensively assessed risk to staff and users and are ensuring the safety of anyone who comes into our buildings by applying published court and tribunal coronavirus safety controls. These have been endorsed by Public Health England and Public Health Wales. Additionally, a process for checking compliance at each site is in place, with controls reviewed and monitored at each court and tribunal building.

Following the recent publication of additional PHE guidance, ‘Beyond the Data’ HMCTS are conducting specific recorded conversations for any individuals of BAME ethnicities, colleagues who are over 70 or male colleagues of working age. This has formed part of the current return to work process and will require individuals to self-identify as being from one of the specified groups. For individuals who are already in the workplace, this has formed part of their 4 weekly Keeping in Touch conversation with their line manager. The tool is being used with Line managers to capture and record what additional support or interventions are being considered to ensure colleagues feel comfortable and safe in the workplace. HMCTS HR will continually review the tool and its suitability, in line with central Civil Service Employee Policy guidance.

Our priority is to keep all court users safe and we staff for their service during this unprecedented public health emergency.