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Speech in Commons Chamber - Tue 18 Nov 2025
Northern Ireland Troubles Bill

"May I raise the issue of the Birmingham pub bombings? The Secretary of State says that the reformed Legacy Commission will have greater fact-finding powers. Can he set out why the families, including those who are part of the Justice 4 the 21 campaign, should have confidence in the reformed …..."
Preet Kaur Gill - View Speech

View all Preet Kaur Gill (LAB - Birmingham Edgbaston) contributions to the debate on: Northern Ireland Troubles Bill
Written Question
Northern Ireland Office: Ethnic Groups
Thursday 17th July 2025

Asked by: Preet Kaur Gill (Labour (Co-op) - Birmingham Edgbaston)

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of introducing specific (a) Sikh and (b) Jewish options for a person’s ethnic group in data collection conducted by his Department.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland Office usually collect ethnicity data in line with the ethnicity harmonised standard, which is developed by the independent Office for National Statistics.

The current harmonised standard is based on the 2011 Census questions used across the UK; those questions were updated for the 2021 and 2022 Censuses. The current standard does not include specific “Sikh” and “Jewish” categories for a person’s ethnic group.

The ONS is reviewing the harmonised standard to ensure this remains appropriate and meets the needs of both data users and respondents. This will include a public consultation later this year.