Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Collins of Highbury on 2 December 2024 (HL2825), which organisation was awarded the contract to operate the Equality Advisory and Support Service in the most recent competitive tendering process; how much funding they have allocated to this organisation each year since 2022; and what the timeline is for the review and reopening of the next competitive tendering process.

This question was answered on 4th April 2025
The Equality Advisory & Support Service (EASS) is a government-commissioned helpline that provides free advice and support to individuals in England, Scotland, and Wales on issues relating to equality and human rights. The last competitive tendering process was run in 2022, the resulting contract is still in place.

G4S was awarded the EASS contract in the last competitive tender process. The spend amount of the contract to date is £1,054,680 excl. VAT in the 2022/23 contract year, £1,104,180 excl. VAT in the 2023/24 contract year and £769,868 excl. VAT in the 2024/25 contract year. The reopening of the competitive tendering process will be ahead of the next contract juncture in June 2026.