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<p>The information requested falls within the responsibility of the UK Statistics
Authority. I have asked the Authority to reply.</p><p><strong><br>Letter from John
Pullinger CB, National Statistician, to The Lord Stoddart of Swindon, Lord, dated
9 July 2018.</strong></p><p> </p><p>Dear Lord Stoddart,</p><p> </p><p>As National
Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am replying to
your Parliamentary Question asking what proportion of the UK population identifies
as being LGBT or transgender <strong>(HL9192)</strong>.</p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>The
Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated that 2% of the UK population aged 16
and over in 2016 identified as Lesbian, Gay or Bisexual (LGB). LGB refers to sexual
orientation, which is an umbrella concept encompassing sexual identity, attraction
and behaviour.</p><p> </p><p>Trans or Transgender are terms used to refer to people
whose gender identity differs from their sex assigned at birth.</p><p> </p><p>ONS
does not currently collect any information on gender identity on any of our social
surveys.</p><p> </p><p>In the 2021 Census Topic Consultation, data users showed a
clear requirement for gender identity for policy development and service planning;
especially in relation to the provision of health services. In addition, respondents
also identified a requirement for the protected characteristic of gender reassignment
in relation to fulfilling equality duties under the Equality Act 2010. The Gender
Identity topic report[1] on the consultation findings provides further information.</p><p>
</p><p>ONS is currently undertaking work, research and testing to inform our position
on this topic and help us to determine whether and how best to meet user needs for
information on gender identity. Plans and current work are detailed on our website[2].</p><p>
</p><p>The Government Equalities Office (GEO) have recently published an LGBT action
plan following the Government’s national survey of LGBT people. The action plan and
results from the survey can be found on their website[3].</p><p> </p><p> </p><p>Yours
sincerely,</p><p><strong>John Pullinger</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>
</strong></p><p>[1]<a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/censustransformationprogramme/consultations/the2021censusinitialviewoncontentforenglandandwales/topicreport03genderidentity.pdf"
target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/file?uri=/census/censustransformationprogramme/consultations/the2021censusinitialviewoncontentforenglandandwales/topicreport03genderidentity.pdf</a></p><p>[2]
<a href="https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/classificationsandstandards/measuringequality/genderidentity"
target="_blank">https://www.ons.gov.uk/methodology/classificationsandstandards/measuringequality/genderidentity</a></p><p>[3]
<a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lgbt-action-plan-2018-improving-the-lives-of-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-people"
target="_blank">https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/lgbt-action-plan-2018-improving-the-lives-of-lesbian-gay-bisexual-and-transgender-people</a></p>
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