Question

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Collins of Highbury on 26 February (HL Deb col 736), when they expect to conclude the consultation with Scottish and Welsh Ministers about the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Minister is following the process in the Equality Act 2006 and is consulting the Devolved Governments at the relevant stages, as required under section 14(9). Consultation with Welsh and Scottish Ministers is required if, or in so far as, the Code relates to a duty imposed by or under the Public Sector Equality Duty. As part of the consultation, the draft Code has been shared with the Devolved Administrations. It is important that the correct process for laying the Code is followed. We will not be giving a running commentary whilst this takes place.

Question

To ask His Majesty's Government when they plan to answer Written Question HL14227, tabled on 3 February and due for answer on 17 February; and for what reason they have not yet answered the question.

Answered by Lord Collins of Highbury - Lord in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

I refer the Noble Lord to my answer on 5 March 2026 (PQ HL14227):

Question: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Collins of Highbury on 2 February (HL Deb col 1299), what is the evidential basis that all public services they deliver are in full compliance with the law, as set out in the ruling of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] UKSC 16.

Answer:

As clarified by Lord Collins during the debate on 2 February, the Government is absolutely committed to fully implementing the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] Supreme Court ruling.

Where necessary, government departments are carefully reviewing the ruling’s potential implications in full to ensure that their policies and guidance are legally compliant. It is important that departments take the time to get this right and seek specialist legal advice where necessary.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission - as the independent regulator - has submitted a draft Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations to Ministers, and we are working as quickly as we can to review it with the care it deserves. This will provide further guidance to duty bearers on how they should comply with the Equality Act 2010 following the ruling.