Written questions by Glen.

What assessment she has made of the implications for her Department’s policies of recommendation 3 of His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services' report on An inspection into activism and impartiality in policing, published on 10 September 2024.

Equality and opportunity are at the core of this government's work. We have pledged to uphold Britain’s long-standing record of protecting individuals against unlawful discrimination, and ensuring the Equality Act 2010 continues to provide strong protection for everyone.The Public Sector Equality Duty requires public authorities, and those carrying out public functions, to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people. We will preserve and promote the Public Sector Equality Duty and ensure that all bodies exercising public functions comply with its provisions. This includes ensuring effective guidance is available for those exercising the duty.

With reference to Recommendation 3 of the report entitled An inspection into activism and impartiality in policing, published by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services on 10 September 2024, what plans the Government Equalities Office has to (a) update the Public Sector Equality Duty guidance for public authorities and (b) make recommendations for legislative amendments to the Equality Act 2010.

Equality is at the core of this government's mission. We are committed to upholding Britain’s long-standing record of protecting the rights of individuals against unlawful discrimination, and ensuring the Equality Act 2010 protects everyone.The Public Sector Equality Duty requires public authorities, and those carrying out public functions, to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity, and foster good relations between different people. We will uphold the Public Sector Equality Duty and ensure that all parties exercising public functions comply with its provisions. This includes ensuring guidance for these parties and updating it if legislative amendments to the duty are made.

If she will commission a regulatory impact assessment on the proposed commencement of the socio-economic duty in the Equality Act 2010.

The Government is committed to commencing the socio-economic duty in the Equality Act 2010. The duty will require public bodies, when making strategic decisions, to actively consider how their decisions might help to reduce the inequalities associated with socio-economic disadvantage. To ensure effective implementation, we will be undertaking the necessary assessments. We will be updating Parliament on this in due course.

Pursuant to the Answer of 6 September 2024 to Question 2316 on Equality, if she will publish guidance on the application of the socio-economic duty on (a) Civil Service recruitment (i) decisions and (ii) policy and (b) public appointments.

The duty will require public bodies, when making strategic decisions, to actively consider how their decisions might help to reduce the inequalities associated with socio-economic disadvantage. Guidance will be developed that will help relevant authorities comply with the duty once commenced. We will be updating Parliament on this in due course.