Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to minimise the operational and administrative compliance work for small and medium-sized enterprises.
Answered by Baroness Jones of Whitchurch - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
Earlier this year, the Prime Minister announced that government will cut administrative costs of regulation to business by 25% by the end of this Parliament. Reducing these costs on businesses will allow them to flourish and to innovate, enabling economic growth.
Our SME Strategy will be published later this year, delivering on our Growth Mission of supporting SMEs. It will feature the new Business Growth Service, simplifying
available support for SMEs on access to finance and providing training and operational efficiency advice.
DBT will also resume funding for the Help to Grow: Management training and will extend the SME Digital Adoption Taskforce supporting the digitisation efforts of a greater number of SMEs. These programmes should enable SMEs to minimise their operational and administrative compliance work.
Finally, the Government supports the introduction of e-invoicing that can significantly reduce administrative tasks, improve cash flow, boost productivity and reduce errors in tax returns.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps will be taken by the Circular Economy Taskforce to engage with small and medium-sized enterprises about the development of the circular economy strategy.
Answered by Baroness Hayman of Ullock - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)
The Circular Economy Taskforce has already begun extensive engagement with small and medium-sized enterprises, trade associations, industry leaders, and other key stakeholders to ensure that the Strategy reflects the needs and insights of all involved. The Taskforce will continue its engagement efforts with events taking place through to the summer and beyond. These engagements are crucial for developing a comprehensive Strategy and we encourage all stakeholders, particularly small and medium-sized enterprises, to actively participate in these engagements and share their perspectives to help shape a sustainable and prosperous future for the UK.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, what guidance they will issue about teaching biological sex in relationships, sex and health education classes.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
The review of the relationships, sex and health education statutory guidance is ongoing, and the department is looking carefully at responses to the public consultation conducted last year, considering the relevant evidence, such as the Cass Review which was published since the draft guidance, and talking to key stakeholders before issuing revised guidance.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, whether they plan to issue guidance to departments to undo processes or methodology introduced as part of membership to the Stonewall Diversity Champions Scheme.
Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)
The Government has set out our expectation that organisations follow the clarity the ruling provides.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has already committed to supporting organisations with its updated statutory Code of Practice for service providers. Ministers will consider the EHRC’s updated draft once they have submitted it to us.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, what plans they have to ensure that GP practices, NHS hospitals and clinics have dedicated changing facilities for staff of female biological sex; and what guidance they will issue about disciplinary action against staff of male biological sex who seek to use those facilities.
Answered by Baroness Merron - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)
We have always supported the protection of single-sex spaces based on biological sex. Single-sex spaces are protected in law and will always be protected by the Government.
The Supreme Court ruling about the meaning of ‘sex’ in the Equality Act 2010 case has provided much needed confidence and clarity to service providers. We expect all providers to follow the clarity this ruling provides.
The Government expects the National Health Service to deliver health services in accordance with the Equality Act 2010, having appropriate regard to protected characteristics as defined in the Act where relevant. NHS England is reviewing its ‘delivering same-sex accommodation’ guidance and will ensure it reflects the Supreme Court ruling.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, whether they will issue guidance to sports public bodies about the implementation of the Supreme Court ruling; and whether they plan to withdraw grants from sporting organisations that do not comply with that ruling.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
We have always been clear that when it comes to women's sport, biology matters. Our sports bodies need to come up with policies that protect fairness and safety, whilst ensuring everyone has the opportunity to participate in some form.
It is for each sport's National Governing Body to set their own policies for who can participate in domestic competitions. Our Sports Councils produce guidance to provide domestic sports bodies with the framework and support to determine the right position for their sport. Our Sports Councils are considering the implications of the Supreme Court ruling for their guidance.
A public consultation on the EHRC’s Code of Practice is now underway. We would encourage people to ensure their views are heard by submitting a response to the consultation. The Government will consider the EHRC's updated draft Code of Practice once it has been submitted and engage the EHRC to ensure it provides the certainty and clarity service providers need, in line with the Supreme Court ruling.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, whether they plan to issue guidance to the Financial Conduct Authority to ensure that biological sex is used in pay gap analysis reports.
Answered by Lord Livermore - Financial Secretary (HM Treasury)
The government will review and update its general policy and guidance wherever necessary to ensure it complies with the latest legal requirements.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, whether they will lay before Parliament a report setting out the implementation of the ruling by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, and the agencies and public bodies that work with that department, within six months.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Service providers and those delivering public functions should note and follow the ruling. It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers and is currently consulting on its code of practice for services, public functions and associations. This consultation will close on 30 June 2025. The Government is considering the implications of the Supreme Court's judgment.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, what plans they have to include the biological sex of staff in reports about those employed by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and its agencies and public bodies.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Service providers and those delivering public functions should note and follow the ruling. It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers and is currently consulting on its code of practice for services, public functions and associations. This consultation will close on 30 June 2025. The Government is considering the implications of the Supreme Court's judgment.
Asked by: Lord Blencathra (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask His Majesty's Government, following the decision of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16, what plans they have to issue guidance to organisations and other stakeholders that interact with the Department for Culture, Media and Sport about implementing the Supreme Court ruling.
Answered by Baroness Twycross - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)
The Supreme Court ruling made it clear that the provision of single-sex spaces is on the basis of biological sex. Service providers and those delivering public functions should note and follow the ruling. It is important that we ensure dignity and respect for all. Trans people should have access to services they need but in keeping with the ruling. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), as Britain’s Equalities watchdog, is developing updated guidance to support service providers and is currently consulting on its code of practice for services, public functions and associations. This consultation will close on 30 June 2025. The Government is considering the implications of the Supreme Court's judgment.