Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the answer of 27 April 2026 to Question 129027 on Equality: Impact Assessments, how that approach to equalities impact assessments will be (a) delivered and (b) enforced.

Our ongoing work is focused on making Equality Impact Assessments (EqIAs) more targeted, scaled correctly to the policy in question, and effective at driving inclusive outcomes, rather than just acting as an administrative hurdle.

EqIAs are not a requirement of the Public Sector Equality Duty. The duty doesn’t require process for its own sake and does not mandate the use of EqIAs. Instead, the duty requires that active consideration is given to equality impacts, with EqIAs being one way to demonstrate this. The Office for Equality and Opportunity does not enforce compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty, that is the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.