Asked by: Baroness Noakes (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to remarks by Lord True on 25 February (HL Deb, col. 961) that they would review their approach to drafting legislation following concerns expressed during the passage of the Ministerial and Other Maternity Allowances Act 2021, when they expect (1) to complete, and (2) to publish, their review.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
A response on this issue is in the process of being finalised. I hope to respond to Noble Lords before the House rises for the Christmas recess.
Asked by: Baroness Noakes (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to undertake the review exploring approaches to drafting legislation on subjects that prompt questions around language announced by Lord True on 25 February (HL Deb, col 960); and when they plan to inform Parliament of the outcome of that review.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
The Government is committed to ensuring the law is respectful and representative of all people while ensuring it can be clearly interpreted. The Office of the Parliamentary Counsel has already begun work reviewing current and historic practice in legislative drafting to inform the consideration of future drafting options. I will write to update the Noble Lady before the House rises for the summer.
Asked by: Baroness Noakes (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to issue guidance to (1) the Civil Service, and (2) public bodies, to ensure that consultations on policies or practices in relation to sex and gender receive responses from a broad range of respondents.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
In the proceedings brought by Fair Play for Women in relation to the sex question guidance in Census 2021 in England and Wales, the claimant’s solicitors named the Minister for the Cabinet Office as an interested party. The Cabinet Office considered this appropriate as the department responsible for the census legislation.
The legal costs have not yet been fully determined for the above proceedings.
The Order made by the court, in the case referenced above specifically related to the census legislation. The court made a distinction between a person’s sex as recognised by law and the gender with which a person self-identifies. HM Government will note this more broadly, and reflect on whether further guidance for government departments and public bodies is required.
HM Government also recognises the importance of accurate data collection.
HM Government has monitored progress of Census 2021 through regular engagement with the Cabinet Office, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and HM Treasury. The Government is confident that Census 2021 will be successful and provide a wealth of data reflecting the society we live in today.
Asked by: Baroness Noakes (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the conduct of (1) the UK Statistics Authority, and (2) the National Statistician, in relation to the determination of how questions on sex in the 2021 census and the related guidance were framed.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
In the proceedings brought by Fair Play for Women in relation to the sex question guidance in Census 2021 in England and Wales, the claimant’s solicitors named the Minister for the Cabinet Office as an interested party. The Cabinet Office considered this appropriate as the department responsible for the census legislation.
The legal costs have not yet been fully determined for the above proceedings.
The Order made by the court, in the case referenced above specifically related to the census legislation. The court made a distinction between a person’s sex as recognised by law and the gender with which a person self-identifies. HM Government will note this more broadly, and reflect on whether further guidance for government departments and public bodies is required.
HM Government also recognises the importance of accurate data collection.
HM Government has monitored progress of Census 2021 through regular engagement with the Cabinet Office, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and HM Treasury. The Government is confident that Census 2021 will be successful and provide a wealth of data reflecting the society we live in today.
Asked by: Baroness Noakes (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the declaration in the Order of Consent following the judicial review proceedings brought by Fair Play for Women against the UK Statistics Authority, what plans they have to review how (1) government departments, and (2) public sector bodies, use the word “sex”.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
In the proceedings brought by Fair Play for Women in relation to the sex question guidance in Census 2021 in England and Wales, the claimant’s solicitors named the Minister for the Cabinet Office as an interested party. The Cabinet Office considered this appropriate as the department responsible for the census legislation.
The legal costs have not yet been fully determined for the above proceedings.
The Order made by the court, in the case referenced above specifically related to the census legislation. The court made a distinction between a person’s sex as recognised by law and the gender with which a person self-identifies. HM Government will note this more broadly, and reflect on whether further guidance for government departments and public bodies is required.
HM Government also recognises the importance of accurate data collection.
HM Government has monitored progress of Census 2021 through regular engagement with the Cabinet Office, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and HM Treasury. The Government is confident that Census 2021 will be successful and provide a wealth of data reflecting the society we live in today.
Asked by: Baroness Noakes (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Minister for the Cabinet Office was listed as an interested party in the judicial review proceedings brought by Fair Play for Women against the UK Statistics Authority in relation to the 2021 census.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
In the proceedings brought by Fair Play for Women in relation to the sex question guidance in Census 2021 in England and Wales, the claimant’s solicitors named the Minister for the Cabinet Office as an interested party. The Cabinet Office considered this appropriate as the department responsible for the census legislation.
The legal costs have not yet been fully determined for the above proceedings.
The Order made by the court, in the case referenced above specifically related to the census legislation. The court made a distinction between a person’s sex as recognised by law and the gender with which a person self-identifies. HM Government will note this more broadly, and reflect on whether further guidance for government departments and public bodies is required.
HM Government also recognises the importance of accurate data collection.
HM Government has monitored progress of Census 2021 through regular engagement with the Cabinet Office, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and HM Treasury. The Government is confident that Census 2021 will be successful and provide a wealth of data reflecting the society we live in today.
Asked by: Baroness Noakes (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what costs were incurred by (1) the UK Statistics Authority, and (2) the Cabinet Office, in the judicial review proceedings against the UK Statistics Authority brought by Fair Play for Women in relation to the 2021 census.
Answered by Lord True - Shadow Leader of the House of Lords
In the proceedings brought by Fair Play for Women in relation to the sex question guidance in Census 2021 in England and Wales, the claimant’s solicitors named the Minister for the Cabinet Office as an interested party. The Cabinet Office considered this appropriate as the department responsible for the census legislation.
The legal costs have not yet been fully determined for the above proceedings.
The Order made by the court, in the case referenced above specifically related to the census legislation. The court made a distinction between a person’s sex as recognised by law and the gender with which a person self-identifies. HM Government will note this more broadly, and reflect on whether further guidance for government departments and public bodies is required.
HM Government also recognises the importance of accurate data collection.
HM Government has monitored progress of Census 2021 through regular engagement with the Cabinet Office, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and HM Treasury. The Government is confident that Census 2021 will be successful and provide a wealth of data reflecting the society we live in today.