Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the Football Association about the implications for fairness and safety for women in football of their policy developments on the inclusion of transgender people.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
The Football Association has previously attended a roundtable meeting about participation in sport by transgender people, hosted by His Majesty's Government, where we set out the position below.
When it comes to competitive sport, HM Government believes that fairness has to be the primary consideration. HM Government is clear that a way forward is needed which protects and shows compassion to all, whilst being clear that the integrity of competition must be maintained.
Where sex does have an impact on the fairness of competitive women’s sport, domestic governing bodies and international federations must provide clear direction to protect the integrity of women's sport.
It is ultimately for all individual sports’ National Governing Bodies, including the Football Association, to decide on the specific appropriate initiatives to make women’s sport fair and safe in their organisations whilst making football inclusive for all.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with sports governing bodies on the availability of female-only categories of competition that exclude all males.
Answered by Lord Parkinson of Whitley Bay - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Culture, Media and Sport)
His Majesty’s Government has discussed the Sports Council Equality Group’s guidance on transgender participation with sports governing bodies on multiple occasions.
When it comes to competitive sport, HM Government believes fairness has to be the primary consideration. HM Government is clear a way forward is needed that protects and shows compassion to all, whilst being clear that the integrity of competition must be maintained.
Where sex does have an impact on the fairness of competitive women’s sport, domestic governing bodies and international federations must provide clear direction to protect the integrity of women's sport.
It is ultimately for all individual sports’ national governing bodies to decide on the specific appropriate initiatives to make women’s sport fair and safe in their organisations, whilst making sport inclusive for all.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the 2021 census, (1) how were the cisgender and transgender individuals who took part in ONS qualitative research on gender identity conducted in 2017 selected; (2) what percentage of transgender individuals participated in the (a) 2019 census rehearsal and (b) 2021 census; (3) which local authority areas were chosen for the rehearsal; and (4) what assessment they have made of census data relating to high levels of trans-identified individuals in areas of England and Wales with high minority ethnic populations.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.
The Baroness Hoey
House of Lords
London
SW1A 0PW
14 November 2023
Dear Baroness Hoey,
As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking (1) how the cisgender and transgender individuals who took part in Office for National Statistics (ONS) qualitative research on gender identity, conducted in 2017, were selected; (2) what percentage of transgender individuals participated in the (a) 2019 census rehearsal and (b) 2021 census; (3) which local authority areas were chosen for the rehearsal; and (4) what assessment has been made of census data relating to high levels of trans-identified individuals in areas of England and Wales with high minority ethnic populations (HL38).
Census 2021 was the first census in England and Wales to collect data on people's gender identity. The census asked a voluntary question on gender identity of people aged 16 and over and this data was first published in January 2023.
On 8 November 2023, the ONS published an article titled ‘Quality of Census 2021 gender identity data’ [1]. This is the result of its investigation into the quality of census gender identity data after some unexpected patterns were identified. It included looking at patterns of trans identification by ethnic group, country of birth and proficiency in English. These patterns can offer some insight into the last aspect of your question relating to the level of trans-identified individuals in England and Wales with high minority ethnic populations.
Gender identity question development
As with all census questions, the gender identity question went through a detailed process of development and testing. This evaluated three core designs as described in detail in our 2020 publication ‘Sex and gender identity question development for Census 2021’ [2]. As set out in Annex 2 of that report, the testing activities conducted for this topic included:
qualitative research involving both trans participants and those whose gender identity is the same as their sex registered at birth (cisgender)
quantitative research through five online and multi-modal surveys with a range of respondents
inclusion in the 2019 Census Rehearsal
Your questions relating to specific testing within that process are addressed below
Participants in qualitative testing in 2017
In 2017, we carried out two sets of qualitative testing as part of the development of the gender identity question. In March and April 2017, we carried out exploratory cognitive interviews and focus groups, this testing is referred to as 2017:6 in annex 2 [2] and in the summary of testing for Census 2021 which includes further information [3]. We included cisgender (female and male), transgender, and intersex participants, as well as people with a transgender person in their family. We also made sure we involved people of different ages, education levels, ethnicities, and household types. Transgender participants were recruited through the following sources:
Various trans organisations and contacts.
Respondents to the ONS’s Opinions and Lifestyle Survey who had given permission for ONS to contact them again for future research.
Follow-up contact with volunteers from previous research.
Through a request for volunteers with the required characteristics among family, friends, and other contacts of ONS staff (the participants did not include ONS staff themselves).
In August and September 2017, we carried out further cognitive interviews with cisgender and transgender participants (2017:15) [2] . Transgender participants were recruited through various trans organisations and follow-up contact with people who had responded to recruitment for the earlier research but weren’t interviewed at that time. Cisgender participants were recruited through the research team’s register of participants in previous research on other topics, who had given permission for ONS to contact them again for future research.
The 2019 Census Rehearsal
The 2019 Census Rehearsal took place in four local authority areas: Carlisle, Ceredigion, Hackney, and Tower Hamlets. These locations were selected so that we could rehearse in different types of areas. The Rehearsal tested our preparations, our operational processes and systems, our digital platform, our engagement and communications strategies and the Census Coverage Survey, as part of our preparations for Census 2021. It was not designed to collect representative data, but to test, evaluate and gather feedback on our preparations. The overall response rate for this voluntary survey was therefore lower than for Census 2021, particularly for communal establishments such as student halls of residence.
The gender identity question was voluntary in Census 2021 and was clearly marked as voluntary in the questionnaire for both the census and the 2019 Rehearsal. In the Rehearsal, 0.3% of respondents aged 16 and over answered ‘No’ to the gender identity question, reporting that their gender identity was different to their sex registered at birth. In Census 2021, 0.5% of respondents answered ‘No’ to the gender identity question; 6% of census respondents gave no answer to the question.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Sir Ian Diamond
[1] https://www.ons.gov.uk/releases/qualityofcensus2021genderidentitydata
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Cabinet Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government how many excess deaths there have been in England and Wales in each quarter since 1 January 2020; what were the totals in the years (1) 2020, (2) 2021, (3) 2022, and (4) 2023 to date; and what proportion of deaths where COVID-19 is mentioned on the death certificate have been (a) male, and (b) female.
Answered by Baroness Neville-Rolfe - Minister of State (Cabinet Office)
The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.
Please see the letter attached from the National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority.
The Baroness Hoey
House of Lords
London
SW1A 0PW
14 November 2023
Dear Baroness Hoey,
As National Statistician and Chief Executive of the UK Statistics Authority, I am responding to your Parliamentary Question asking how many excess deaths there have been in England and Wales in each quarter since 1 January 2020; what were the totals in the years (1) 2020, (2) 2021, (3) 2022, and (4) 2023 to date; and what proportion of deaths where COVID-19 is mentioned on the death certificate have been (a) male, and (b) female (HL36).
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) publishes statistics on deaths registered in England and Wales. Mortality statistics are compiled from information supplied when deaths are certified and registered as part of civil registration.
Table 1 provides information on excess deaths by quarter in England and Wales. It also provides the age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) by quarter which is a weighted average of the age-specific mortality rate per 100,000 people. This takes into account the population size and age structure which means comparisons between populations that may contain different proportions of people of different ages can be made.
Table 2 provides information on deaths involving COVID-19 by sex.
Yours sincerely,
Professor Sir Ian Diamond
Table 1: Number and proportions of excess deaths by quarter, 2020 to 2023 [1] [2] [3]
Year | Quarter | Deaths | ASMR | Five-year average deaths | Five-year average ASMR | Excess deaths | Percentage excess deaths | Percentage excess ASMR |
2020 | 1 | 150077 | 1045.2 | 151931 | 1120.6 | -1854 | -1.2 | -6.7 |
2020 | 2 | 183118 | 1271.1 | 127709 | 928.9 | 55409 | 43.4 | 36.8 |
2020 | 3 | 120456 | 826.9 | 119446 | 855.6 | 1010 | 0.8 | -3.3 |
2020 | 4 | 154271 | 1059.1 | 132992 | 948.8 | 21279 | 16.0 | 11.6 |
2021 | 1 | 180673 | 1266.2 | 151931 | 1120.6 | 28742 | 18.9 | 13 |
2021 | 2 | 120663 | 836.5 | 127709 | 928.9 | -7046 | -5.5 | -10 |
2021 | 3 | 134035 | 914.6 | 119446 | 855.6 | 14589 | 12.2 | 6.9 |
2021 | 4 | 150963 | 1019.1 | 132992 | 948.8 | 17971 | 13.5 | 7.4 |
2022 | 1 | 148514 | 1013.3 | 156965 | 1137.7 | -8451 | -5.4 | -10.9 |
2022 | 2 | 138818 | 926.3 | 126521 | 905.1 | 12297 | 9.7 | 2.3 |
2022 | 3 | 137700 | 902.5 | 122596 | 863.6 | 15104 | 12.3 | 4.5 |
2022 | 4 | 152136 | 991.8 | 137332 | 962.2 | 14804 | 10.8 | 3.1 |
2023 | 1 | 171371 | 1136 | 158239 | 1126.3 | 13132 | 8.3 | 0.9 |
2023 | 2 | 139277 | 909.2 | 128234 | 898 | 11043 | 8.6 | 1.2 |
2023 | 3 | 128711 | 827.9 | 126109 | 869 | 2602 | 2.1 | -4.7 |
Source: Office for National Statistics
Table 2: Number and proportions of deaths involving COVID-19 by quarter, 2020 to 2023 [1] [2] [3] [4]
Year | Quarter | Deaths | Male (Deaths) | Female (Deaths) | Male (%) | Female (%) |
2020 | 1 | 1734 | 1054 | 680 | 60.8 | 39.2 |
2020 | 2 | 48580 | 26638 | 21942 | 54.8 | 45.2 |
2020 | 3 | 2770 | 1552 | 1218 | 56 | 44 |
2020 | 4 | 28711 | 16003 | 12708 | 55.7 | 44.3 |
2021 | 1 | 56418 | 29836 | 26582 | 52.9 | 47.1 |
2021 | 2 | 2670 | 1567 | 1103 | 58.7 | 41.3 |
2021 | 3 | 7696 | 4504 | 3192 | 58.5 | 41.5 |
2021 | 4 | 10943 | 6392 | 4551 | 58.4 | 41.6 |
2022 | 1 | 12875 | 7186 | 5689 | 55.8 | 44.2 |
2022 | 2 | 8369 | 4472 | 3897 | 53.4 | 46.6 |
2022 | 3 | 6756 | 3648 | 3108 | 54 | 46 |
2022 | 4 | 6344 | 3394 | 2950 | 53.5 | 46.5 |
2023 | 1 | 7978 | 4118 | 3860 | 51.6 | 48.4 |
2023 | 2 | 4246 | 2355 | 1891 | 55.5 | 44.5 |
2023 | 3 | 2053 | 1241 | 812 | 60.4 | 39.6 |
Source: Office for National Statistics
[1] Figures are for deaths registered, rather than deaths occurring, in each period.
[2] Figures include deaths of non-residents.
[3] Figures for 2023 are based on provisional data.
[4] The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition (ICD-10) codes for COVID-19 are U07.1, U07.2, U09.9, U10.9
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what progress has been made to ensure that farmers in Northern Ireland can import cow embryos from North America, as can farmers in the rest of the UK.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Farmers in Northern Ireland can import cattle embryos from United States and Canada. These imports must meet the conditions set out by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), including the requirement for an appropriate veterinary certificate.
Further information is available on the DAERA website.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the statement of the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in May that the money to redevelop Casement Park will be found, where is it envisaged such money will be coming from.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
EURO 2028 will highlight the enduring strength of the whole of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, through the unifying power of sport.
The UK Government is working closely with local partners in Northern Ireland on plans to deliver EURO 2028 events and to make sure EURO 2028 leaves a lasting legacy of football for all.
We will continue looking at those plans and business cases, to ensure we are making the best use of resources to support the success of EURO 2028. That is a process that will continue over this next period of preparations.
The UK Government is, of course, very conscious of delivering the best use of taxpayer funds, particularly at a time of budget challenges in Northern Ireland.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government what was the outcome of the due diligence exercise undertaken by the Gaelic Athletic Association and Stormont officials after one of the developers involved with Casement Park, the Buckingham Group, went into administration.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Governance for the development of Casement Park, including matters regarding due diligence and the appointment of contractors, rests with the Northern Ireland Department for Communities and the Regional Stadia Development Programme Board. My department has no role in the Regional Stadium Development Board.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Northern Ireland Office:
To ask His Majesty's Government who will be replacing the Buckingham Group as a contractor working on the redevelopment of Casement Park for the 2028 UEFA European Championship.
Answered by Lord Caine - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Governance for the development of Casement Park, including matters regarding due diligence and the appointment of contractors, rests with the Northern Ireland Department for Communities and the Regional Stadia Development Programme Board. My department has no role in the Regional Stadium Development Board.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the geographical boundary at which Regulation (EU) 2017/625 and the associated EU acquis take effect so that food and agricultural products in Northern Ireland comply with that regulation.
Answered by Lord Benyon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
A range of regulations apply to goods in Northern Ireland: EU regulations only apply to the extent set out in the Windsor Framework, varying dependent on whether the goods were produced in Northern Ireland or how the goods were moved from Great Britain. Where goods are moved under the new, more facilitative green lane and are destined for Northern Ireland; they will face no certification requirements, reduced checks and can be produced to UK public health and consumer protection standards. Goods moved through the red lane, on the other hand, will face full EU Official Control requirements including needing to comply with all EU animal, plant and public health regulations. To allow access to the NI, GB and EU markets, Northern Irish food and agricultural products will be produced to EU standards.
Asked by: Baroness Hoey (Non-affiliated - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government what authorisations are required, and what customs information needs to be provided, by a trader moving goods from Liverpool to Glasgow or between any other two locations in Great Britain.
Answered by Baroness Penn - Minister on Leave (Parliamentary Under Secretary of State)
There is usually no requirement for authorisations or customs declarations for goods being moved between locations within Great Britain. In certain circumstances customs formalities may be required for movements between two locations in GB, for example non-domestic goods that have been imported but are not yet released into the UK market.
Additionally, where a business moves goods within GB, it is likely to have to provide ordinary commercial information about what is being moved to any courier, haulier or parcel operator contracted to move the goods, which could include, for example, a description of the goods, their value and their destination.