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1184466

registered interest
date	11/03/2020
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Gender: Equality
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what measures, if any, have been put in place to ensure that the Government Equalities Office has regular input into policy proposals to be put forward by (1) the Home Office, (2) the Ministry of Defence, (3) the Department for International Development, and (4) the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, with particular regard to policies on gender equality.
tabling member printed	Baroness Anelay of St Johns
uin	HL2483
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2020 answer text <p>All public bodies in Great Britain, including Whitehall departments, have a legal obligation under the Public Sector Equality Duty to consider the potential effects of key decisions on groups with protected characteristics including gender.</p><p>They are also required to set and publish specific and measurable equality objectives which Whitehall departments have for the last two years included in their Single Departmental Plans. The Government Equalities Office (GEO) encourages departments to publish equality objectives that cover strategic policy work and not only workforce and Human Relations issues. In addition to this, the International Development Act (Gender Equality) 2014 puts the Department for International Development’s commitment to gender equality on a statutory footing and ensures that gender equality remains at the heart of its work.</p><p>GEO has engaged with the specific departments listed on a number of policies including those related to gender equality. For example, as part of the Government’s Violence Against Women and Girls’ Strategy, GEO are working alongside Home Office on work to tackle harmful gender norms.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 23/03/2020 15:14:55 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	3474 label Biography information for Baroness Anelay of St Johns

1183445

registered interest
date	09/03/2020
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Transgender People
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government under which circumstances a service provider may require a person to provide a gender recognition certificate as a condition of providing services.
tabling member printed	Lord Lucas
uin	HL2348
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 24/03/2020 answer text <p>A Gender Recognition Certificate is a private, legal document which a person would not usually be required to produce as a condition of accessing services, in the same way that a person would not usually be asked to produce their birth certificate. If evidence of gender is required to access a service, it will normally be possible to provide it in the form of other documents, for example a driving licence or a passport.</p><p>The Equality Act allows service providers to offer services to one sex only, for example men’s or women’s toilets or changing rooms. Transgender people can be excluded from single-sex facilities if service providers have a legitimate reason for doing so and if exclusion is the least discriminatory way to proceed.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 24/03/2020 15:41:59 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	1879 label Biography information for Lord Lucas

1183184

registered interest
date	05/03/2020
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Gender
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their definition of (1) man, (2) woman, (3) male, (4) female, (5) boy, (6) girl, (7) transgender, (8) sex, (9) gender, and (10) gender identity.
tabling member printed	Lord Lucas
uin	HL2276
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2020 answer text <p>In the Equality Act 2010, &quot;man&quot; is defined as &quot;a male of any age&quot;; and &quot;woman&quot; as &quot;a female of any age&quot;. The other terms listed in the question are not defined, except that &quot;the protected characteristic of sex&quot; is defined in Section 11 of the Equality Act as a reference to a man or a woman, or to persons of the same sex, as appropriate.</p><p>The Government Equalities Office provided a list of terms to help set the context and support respondents in completing the 2018 Gender Recognition Act Consultation. This included short descriptions of the terms ‘sex’, ‘gender’, ‘transgender’ and ‘gender identity’: <a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/721725/GRA-Consultation-document.pdf" target="_blank">https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/721725/GRA-Consultation-document.pdf</a></p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 23/03/2020 15:14:21 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	1879 label Biography information for Lord Lucas

1182879

registered interest
date	04/03/2020
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Veganism
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of (1) the ruling by Justice Robin Postle on 3 January that veganism satisfies the tests required for it to be a philosophical belief and is therefore protected under the Equality Act 2010, and (2) the Vegan Society’s leaflet, Supporting veganism in the workplace: a guide for employers; and whether they will issue guidance on supporting veganism in the workplace.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2202
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 23/03/2020 answer text <p>Further to the answer I gave to PQ <a href="https://www.parliament.uk/business/publications/written-questions-answers-statements/written-question/Lords/2020-03-03/HL2142/" target="_blank">HL2142</a>, the Government currently has no plans to issue any guidance on supporting veganism in the workplace. Any employer unsure about their obligations to accommodate staff who are vegan should either contact ACAS for advice or, if more appropriate on a specific case, obtain legal advice.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 23/03/2020 15:12:50 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1182440

registered interest
date	03/03/2020
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Veganism
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government, following the 3 January ruling by Justice Robin Postle that veganism satisfies the tests required for it to be a philosophical belief and is therefore protected under the Equality Act 2010, what plans they have to amend that Act.
tabling member printed	Lord Blencathra
uin	HL2142
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2020 answer text <p>A series of tribunal readings since 2010 mean that protected philosophical beliefs under the Equality Act 2010 include not only ethical veganism but belief in Scottish independence, anti-fox hunting, democratic socialism and the higher purpose of public sector broadcasting. I therefore agree with my Noble Friend that the scope of philosophical belief will be included in any future decisions the government takes about possible changes to the act.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 17/03/2020 11:38:09 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	497 label Biography information for Lord Blencathra

1182477

registered interest
date	03/03/2020
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Transgender People: Equality
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Equality and Human Rights Commission about amendments to its guidance on the Equality Act 2010 to help providers of services understand how to handle requests for access to services and facilities from transgender people.
tabling member printed	Lord Lucas
uin	HL2179
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 17/03/2020 answer text <p>Those seeking to rely on the protections and exemptions contained in the Equality Act 2020 must be able to do so with confidence and clarity. The Equality and Human Rights Commission's statutory codes of practice on the Equality Act 2010 explain the provisions of the Act and the EHRC is responsible for updating these codes as necessary.</p><p>This Government has been clear that we must take the right steps to protect safe single-sex spaces for women and girls; their access should not be jeopardised. Some women's organisations have expressed concern that predatory men may abuse the gender recognition system, intended to support transgender adults. We have heard these concerns and are considering carefully our next steps.</p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 17/03/2020 11:39:12 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	1879 label Biography information for Lord Lucas

1181089

registered interest
date	26/02/2020
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	International Women's Day
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to mark UN International Women’s Day on 8 March.
tabling member printed	Baroness Mone
uin	HL1947
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/03/2020 answer text <p>International Women’s Day is an excellent opportunity to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women in the UK and across the globe.</p><p>As you are aware, the UK Parliament has held debates in both Houses to mark this important event. The House of Commons debate was led by the Minister for Women and Equalities, Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP, who delivered the opening statement. Maria Caulfield MP closed the debate.</p><p>I opened the House of Lords debate as the Minister for Women, and it was closed by Baroness Sugg. Thank you for your personal contribution.</p><p>The Prime Minister hosted an International Women’s Day Reception in Downing Street on Thursday 5 March where he gave a speech and took part in a panel discussion with inspirational women from across a range of sectors. Representatives from business, science, and sport, among other areas, attended, alongside school pupils.<em> </em></p><p>International Women’s Day is an important moment and receives significant press attention. As such, Government Equalities Office planned communications ahead of this year's event. This included the Government Equalities Office digital and campaign plans for a series of content featuring women activists and change makers, and Ministerial content including to showcase excerpts from Parliamentary speeches.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Berridge question first answered 11/03/2020 16:08:22 answering member 4218 label Biography information for Baroness Berridge
tabling member	4544 label Biography information for Baroness Mone

1174475

registered interest
date	29/01/2020
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Hate Crime: Females
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they collect on incidences of misogynistic hate speech against women in public life; what assessment they have made of whether misogynistic hate speech is increasing; and what action they are taking to encourage women to (1) enter, and (2) remain, in public life.
tabling member printed	The Marquess of Lothian
uin	HL935
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 11/02/2020 answer text <p>Misogyny is not a hate crime in law, therefore no data is held about specific incidences. The Government has heard concerns about existing legislation and asked the Law Commission to undertake a full review of hate crime legislation, which will report in early 2021.</p><p>The Government is committed to ensuring that women are able to participate fully in public life. Our Public Appointments Diversity Action plan, published in June 2019, sets out the actions we are taking to ensure that, by 2022, 50% of public appointees are women. Additionally, projects funded by our £5 million Women's Suffrage Centenary Fund included an AskHerToStand event for 350 women giving them invaluable help to get on the first rung of a political career.</p><p>We have more women MPs and councillors than ever before and there are now 220 women MPs (34%), up from 22% in 2010. I am pleased this is the most gender balanced parliament on record.</p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 11/02/2020 17:07:03 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	259 label Biography information for The Marquess of Lothian

1175221

registered interest
date	22/01/2020
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Employment: Equality
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the report by the Fawcett Society Sex and Power 2020, published on 13 January; and what steps they are taking to address the reported inequality in senior jobs held in the UK by women and minority groups.
tabling member printed	Baroness McGregor-Smith
uin	HL699
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2020 answer text <p>We have noted this report and will take its findings into consideration. It is vital that women and all ethnicities are able to fully contribute across politics, public life and all business sectors. Progress is being made, but there is more to do. Companies with diverse workforces perform better and an inclusive economic policy is vital to the success of our Industrial Strategy.</p><p>We urge our largest companies to lead from the front on this issue, to reap the economic and social benefits, by taking up the recommendations of the Government commissioned and supported Hampton-Alexander and Parker Reviews, championing greater leadership diversity.</p><p>Women now hold a higher percentage of senior leadership positions than ever before, with over 30% female board members across the FTSE350 for the first time and no all-male boards in the FTSE100. We surveyed FTSE350 companies last year to take stock of the ethnic diversity of their boards and will be publishing the results early this year.</p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 05/02/2020 11:35:16 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4554 label Biography information for Baroness McGregor-Smith

1175165

registered interest
date	21/01/2020
answering body	Women and Equalities
answering dept id	31
answering dept short name	Women and Equalities
answering dept sort name	Women and Equalities
hansard heading	Assistance Animals
house id	2
legislature	25277 pref label House of Lords
question text	Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to amend the Equality Act 2010 to give the same rights to owners of emotional support animals as those who own certified assistance animals.
tabling member printed	Baroness Brady
uin	HL609
answer	answer is ministerial correction date of answer 05/02/2020 answer text <p>The Equality Act 2010 requires service providers to make reasonable adjustments for their disabled users and customers so that they are not disadvantaged compared with people who are not disabled. This requirement includes permitting access to assistance dogs where reasonable. If a person meets the Act’s definition of disability and has an emotional support animal to help them manage that disability, they should ask the service provider to consider allowing access to the animal.</p><p>Other than in relation to taxis, the Equality Act does not refer to assistance dogs or any other specific form of support or facility for disabled people, because each reasonable adjustment must be considered on its merits and in the context of the particular circumstances of the case. We therefore have no plans to include emotional support dogs in the Act, as this would be at odds with the basic and long-standing basis of the legislation.</p><p> </p><p> </p> answering member printed Baroness Williams of Trafford question first answered 05/02/2020 11:36:15 answering member 4311 label Biography information for Baroness Williams of Trafford
tabling member	4339 label Biography information for Baroness Brady