Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, with reference to paragraph 45 of the Government response to the First Report of the Justice Committee, Session 2017-19, HC 416, which Departments have reported on exemptions to the Ban the Box scheme in the last 12 months.

The Civil Service chose to adopt the Ban the Box initiative in February 2016. The Cabinet Office issued guidance for departmental recruitment and HR teams to support departments to ensure their recruitment practices were in line with the Ban the Box initiative. For many organisations, the guidance formalised the good practice which already operated across the Civil Service. Departments have processes in place to approve exceptions. The Cabinet Office have not asked Departments to report on exceptions to the Ban the Box Scheme in the last 12 months.