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Written Question
Equality: Codes of Practice
Monday 2nd February 2026

Asked by: Baroness Falkner of Margravine (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many times they have declined to lay before Parliament a draft statutory code submitted by an arm's-length body between January 2015 and December 2025, where that code has not been subject to litigation; and what were the titles of those draft statutory codes.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The information requested is not held centrally by the Cabinet Office.


Written Question
Public Inquiries
Tuesday 18th February 2025

Asked by: Baroness Falkner of Margravine (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many public inquiries chaired by a judge since 2015 (1) had within their terms of reference the power to recommend individual compensation payments, and did so; (2) did not have the power within their terms of reference to recommend compensation payments, but did so.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The terms of reference for a public inquiry determine an inquiry’s scope. Since 2015, none of the terms of reference for public inquiries (whether or not led by a judicial chair) have specifically required an inquiry to make recommendations related to compensation. We do not hold data centrally on departmental reviews.

The Infected Blood Inquiry - a judge-led inquiry - specifically recommended the provision of compensation payments. The Inquiry did so in response to Sir Robert Francis’ framework into compensation payments for victims of infected blood which was commissioned by the Cabinet Office. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) - an inquiry with a non-judicial chair - made a recommendation for a redress scheme for victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

We are not aware of any other inquiry since 2015 which made recommendations for compensation.


Written Question
Government Departments: Reviews
Tuesday 18th February 2025

Asked by: Baroness Falkner of Margravine (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many departmental reviews since 2015 (1) had within their terms of reference the power to recommend individual compensation payments, and did so; (2) did not have the power within their terms of reference to recommend compensation payments, but did so.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The terms of reference for a public inquiry determine an inquiry’s scope. Since 2015, none of the terms of reference for public inquiries (whether or not led by a judicial chair) have specifically required an inquiry to make recommendations related to compensation. We do not hold data centrally on departmental reviews.

The Infected Blood Inquiry - a judge-led inquiry - specifically recommended the provision of compensation payments. The Inquiry did so in response to Sir Robert Francis’ framework into compensation payments for victims of infected blood which was commissioned by the Cabinet Office. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) - an inquiry with a non-judicial chair - made a recommendation for a redress scheme for victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

We are not aware of any other inquiry since 2015 which made recommendations for compensation.


Written Question
Public Inquiries
Tuesday 18th February 2025

Asked by: Baroness Falkner of Margravine (Crossbench - Life peer)

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government how many public inquiries with a non-judicial chair since 2015 (1) had within their terms of reference the power to recommend individual compensation payments, and did so; (2) did not have the power within their terms of reference to recommend compensation payments, but did so.

Answered by Baroness Anderson of Stoke-on-Trent - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The terms of reference for a public inquiry determine an inquiry’s scope. Since 2015, none of the terms of reference for public inquiries (whether or not led by a judicial chair) have specifically required an inquiry to make recommendations related to compensation. We do not hold data centrally on departmental reviews.

The Infected Blood Inquiry - a judge-led inquiry - specifically recommended the provision of compensation payments. The Inquiry did so in response to Sir Robert Francis’ framework into compensation payments for victims of infected blood which was commissioned by the Cabinet Office. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) - an inquiry with a non-judicial chair - made a recommendation for a redress scheme for victims and survivors of sexual abuse.

We are not aware of any other inquiry since 2015 which made recommendations for compensation.


Speech in Lords Chamber - Fri 18 Nov 2022
House of Lords (Peerage Nominations) Bill [HL]

"My Lords, I start by declaring my interest as chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. It is entirely appropriate that I follow the speech of the noble Lord, Lord Shinkwin, because he has raised some profound matters which I hope to elaborate on a little more.

In doing …..."

Baroness Falkner of Margravine - View Speech

View all Baroness Falkner of Margravine (XB - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: House of Lords (Peerage Nominations) Bill [HL]

Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 20 Oct 2022
Unemployment Figures

"My Lords, can the Minister comment on a particular sector which is very adversely affected in terms of economic inactivity: that is, older women, particularly ethnic minority women, who suffer from digital exclusion? Is she able to say what conversations her department is having with employers to facilitate training to …..."
Baroness Falkner of Margravine - View Speech

View all Baroness Falkner of Margravine (XB - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Unemployment Figures

Speech in Lords Chamber - Tue 11 Jan 2022
Downing Street Event

"My Lords, a few days ago there was a lot of talk on the Conservative Benches about the damage done to the rule of law by the jury verdict in the Colston trial. Many people who understand the way the law operates would support jury trials and the way that …..."
Baroness Falkner of Margravine - View Speech

View all Baroness Falkner of Margravine (XB - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Downing Street Event

Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 08 Sep 2021
Government Departments: Non-Executive Directors

"My Lords, I declare an interest as a holder of a public appointment. I want to turn to ethnic minorities. The Minister will note the figure of 15.3%, which is the representation of ethnic minorities on public boards at the moment. This is an increase from 11.9% in the past …..."
Baroness Falkner of Margravine - View Speech

View all Baroness Falkner of Margravine (XB - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Government Departments: Non-Executive Directors

Speech in Lords Chamber - Thu 29 Apr 2021
Covid-19: Status Certification

"My Lords, does the Minister agree with me that proportionality has to be the key to dealing with this issue? In saying so, I declare that I am chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Will he consider seriously the importance of regular parliamentary oversight of the scheme and …..."
Baroness Falkner of Margravine - View Speech

View all Baroness Falkner of Margravine (XB - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Covid-19: Status Certification

Speech in Lords Chamber - Mon 22 Mar 2021
People with Disabilities Standing for Elected Office

"My Lords, I declare an interest as chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. I hear what the Minister is saying about the responsibilities of political parties. I agree, but does he also accept that Article 29 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities sets …..."
Baroness Falkner of Margravine - View Speech

View all Baroness Falkner of Margravine (XB - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: People with Disabilities Standing for Elected Office