Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, how the recommendation from the Sullivan Review that 'sex' rather than 'gender' should be the default question when collecting data will be implemented across government and the ONS.

The Government recognises the importance of collecting accurate and relevant data on sex. The Sullivan Review, commissioned by the previous administration and published in March, made a number of recommendations to improve sex and gender identity data collection. Individual departments are considering these recommendations as part of their ongoing policy work.

Currently, there is no harmonised standard for sex data. The Government Statistical Service (GSS) harmonisation team in the Office for National Statistics (ONS) has a work programme to develop harmonised data standards on sex and gender identity. This includes extensive engagement with users to understand needs. This work will help improve, and standardise, how to collect sex and gender identity data across government and the ONS in future.