Speeches by Phillipson.

“I understand that for smaller organisations these can be difficult areas where they are seeking to do the right thing, both in terms of the draft code and of the previous code. They may not have access to big budgets and legal teams. That is why it is essential that the draft code provides organisations, including smal…”

“This code, and the Equality Act alongside it, make it clear that trans people are protected from discrimination and harassment. Those with a gender recognition certificate are still recognised in their acquired gender and in other circumstances. Of course, a GRC still allows people to legally change their sex for a ran…”

“Of course, the EHRC has its own work to do and we have our own work to do around understanding the impact of policy. I wanted to be clear with the assessments that were carried out that we were taking full account of all the impact of the draft code on all groups, including women, and I wanted to make sure that we full…”

“I am satisfied that what the EHRC has set out merely seeks to clarify the position that it had already made clear. But in order to put beyond doubt what was intended through the draft code, it provided that further clarification, which is welcome and hopefully has assuaged people’s concerns in this area.”

“In addition to the budget, I know that in the past the Committee has taken a keen interest in making sure that the EHRC is in the strongest possible position to deliver on the important responsibilities that it is tasked with. Since I last came before the Committee, in addition to the new chair, who I know has been bef…”

“The Equality Act 2010 is a monumental achievement, passed by the last Labour Government, that protects everyone from discrimination and harassment. The public sector equality duty makes our services fairer for everyone, and we are bolstering that by commencing the socioeconomic duty. The Equality Act is our quiet guard…”

“I was satisfied in laying the code and I believe it was right to lay the code before Parliament, because this gives service providers the clarity that they need, in terms of how they can comply with the law. To be absolutely clear with the Committee, trans people are still protected by the Equality Act. The draft code …”

“It is the independent equalities regulator. It brings forward the code that I lay in Parliament, but should it wish to update the code at a later date, it is of course able to do so. We are discussing a draft code that is a new code that has been revised. The previous code had been in place for many, many years and—set…”

“As this is a very contested space, there will continue to be further debate, challenge, scrutiny and legal challenge, which would be the case whatever the draft code said. While I understand that point, the draft code gives as much clarity as is possible in this area. Can I say to the Committee, “This will not be subje…”

“The EHRC wished to set out its position on this through the statement you referred to, published on 10 June, to clarify the context of what was covered by the draft code. The draft code states that it is legitimate to collect data about sex from service users for purposes such as equality monitoring or service planning…”

“I am proud of the last Labour Government’s record on tackling child poverty, but this Labour Government are going even further. We will lift the largest ever number of children out of poverty in a single Parliament, in sharp contrast with the Conservative party, which would plunge half a million children back into pove…”

“I will answer briefly and then pass to Marcus, if I may. We all exist in a world of budgetary pressures—that is the sad reality—but we have been working closely with the EHRC in this regard. Marcus, you might be able to share a bit more about that.”

“South Wales police has paused its plans. It is right that it has done so. There are no blasphemy laws in this country, but it is right that we take action against hatred, prejudice and racism wherever we find it. We have seen shocking examples of Muslims in our country being targeted on the basis of their faith and bec…”

“The hon. Gentleman raises two incredibly powerful and distressing cases. I share with him my sympathy for those affected, given all that they have been through and the harm that they have suffered. I am more than happy to discuss the matter further with him, or to make sure that a Minister meets him to hear his constit…”

“I completely agree with my hon. Friend. The joy of reading should be open to every child, and that is really important in this National Year of Reading. Local libraries are special places, and Reform should be investing in our libraries, so that children can access them, not shutting down displays that make all familie…”

“Tackling child poverty is a moral mission for this Labour Government. Background should not determine what people go on to achieve in life, but we know that inequality and poverty hold back too many of our children. We are improving the life chances of every child by scrapping the two-child limit, rolling out free chil…”

“It is for the EHRC to monitor that, and it has committed to doing so. I believe that that is the right approach. Of course, it will want to ensure that the code continues to provide the clarity that is necessary to service providers and others so that they can uphold their responsibilities in line with the law. I know …”

“Both the Government and the EHRC completed equality impact assessments, as we are required to do, and I am sure that the EHRC would be happy to discuss further with the Committee how it intends to continue to monitor, as the code comes into force, when we have gone through the 40-day period. That is the right way forwa…”

“I would have to look carefully at what the chair has said. I do not have that in front of me. I can certainly write to the Committee in follow-up if that is helpful. I would need to check exactly what it was that she said.”

“We have sought to prioritise other areas, given the limitations that can exist. You will have seen in the King’s Speech that we committed to bringing forward a draft Conversion Practices Bill. There will be further news on that very soon, I hope, because I appreciate that the progress on that point has been slow and I …”