Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether her Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport was invited by the Office for National Statistics, via the Government Statistical Service harmonisation champions network, to respond to a consultation regarding possible changes to the standard for ethnicity categories.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard; and what evidence it submitted, including in relation to the recording of Sikhs and Jewish people as ethnic groups.

Answered by Miatta Fahnbulleh - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard; and what evidence it submitted, including in relation to the recording of Sikhs and Jewish people as ethnic groups.

Answered by Zubir Ahmed - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department of Health and Social Care)

The Department was invited by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) to provide evidence. The Department has not responded, deferring to NHS England, who are leading work on the Unified Information Standard for Protected Characteristics (UIPSC). The UISPC programme is a wide-ranging review of how the National Health Service records data in relation to protected characteristics, workforce/employment, and patient datasets and associated surveys.

NHS England has been fully engaged with the work on the ethnicity harmonised standard throughout the development of the UISPC. The ONS sit on the UISPC Publication Steering Group, which was established to bring together key representatives from NHS system partners and cross Government agencies.

NHS England reviewed the consultations from the ONS on the 2031 Census and the Government Statistical Service on the harmonised standard on ethnicity. It has been agreed that once the UISPC report recommendations are made to the Department, ministers will review and consider next steps, including how best to consult more widely.

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, whether her Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments represented in the Government Statistical Service.

The ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, her Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Attorney General:

To ask the Solicitor General, whether her Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Ellie Reeves - Solicitor General (Attorney General's Office)

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, whether her Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Ian Murray - Minister of State (Department for Science, Innovation and Technology)

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

The ONS has committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Andrew Western - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Work and Pensions)

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Louise Sandher-Jones - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence)

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all Government Departments.

The Office for National Statistics have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Hilary Benn - Secretary of State for Northern Ireland

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team. A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Chris Bryant - Minister of State (Department for Business and Trade)

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether her Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard; and what evidence it submitted, including in relation to the recording of Sikhs and Jewish people as ethnic groups.

Answered by Sarah Jones - Minister of State (Home Office)

The Home Office was invited by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) to input to the consultation on the ethnicity harmonised standard. Any changes recommended to the ethnicity harmonisations standard will be applied to our departmental statistics, where applicable, in due course.

It was an open consultation, so anyone could provide a response on an individual basis. The Home Office gathered views from across the department and provided an organisational response.

ONS committed to publish all responses to the consultation, with the names of organisations to be included alongside their response. In line with government consultation principles, a response should be published within 12 weeks of the consultation.

Question to the Cabinet Office:

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, whether the Office for National Statistics sought input from Government departments as part of its review of harmonised standards on ethnicity classification.

Answered by Satvir Kaur - Parliamentary Secretary (Cabinet Office)

The information requested falls under the remit of the UK Statistics Authority.

A response to the Hon lady’s Parliamentary Question of 3rd March is attached.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Michael Shanks - Minister of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report in late summer 2026.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what evidence her Department submitted to the Office for National Statistics' review of the ethnicity harmonised standard, including in relation to the recording of Sikhs and Jewish people as ethnic groups.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) was made aware of the Government Statistical Service's public consultation on the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection in the UK. The FCDO did not submit a response given the domestic focus of the consultation.

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether her Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Chris Elmore - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)

The Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) was made aware of the Government Statistical Service's public consultation on the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection in the UK. The FCDO did not submit a response given the domestic focus of the consultation.

Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether her Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide evidence or input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Angela Eagle - Minister of State (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs)

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments.

ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, whether an eligible individual can receive the Warm Homes Discount if there is no name on their energy bill but only the address.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Warm Home Discount (WHD) is a rebate on energy bills, credited directly to the energy account by the energy supplier. A recipient of a means tested benefit (or their partner or nominee) needs to be named on the energy account, on the qualifying date for that winter, to be eligible.

We expect around 6m households to have received a WHD rebate this winter. Someone who is not named on the bill may still receive support through WHD Industry Initiatives, for example through the Warm Home Discount Park Homes scheme.

Question to the Department for Energy Security & Net Zero:

To ask the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero, if he will make an assessment of the number of people eligible for the Warm Homes Discount who do not have their name on their energy bill.

Answered by Martin McCluskey - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)

The Warm Home Discount (WHD) is a rebate on energy bills, credited directly to the energy account by the energy supplier. A recipient of a means tested benefit (or their partner or nominee) needs to be named on the energy account, on the qualifying date for that winter, to be eligible.

We expect around 6m households to have received a WHD rebate this winter. Someone who is not named on the bill may still receive support through WHD Industry Initiatives, for example through the Warm Home Discount Park Homes scheme.

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to the answer of 6 March 2026 to question 117378, what evidence her Department submitted to the Office for National Statistics' consultation regarding possible changes to the standard for ethnicity categories, including in relation to the recording of Sikhs and Jewish people as ethnic groups.

Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)

The Department for Transport submitted no evidence to the Office for National Statistics’ formal consultation regarding views on whether additional tick-box response options are required for a new ethnicity harmonised standard. The Department contributed evidence at an earlier stage, providing data on the detailed responses provided by respondents to the National Travel Survey who had selected an ‘other’ ethnic background category and were subsequently asked how they would describe themselves.

Question to the Scotland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether his Department was invited by the Office for National Statistics to provide input into its review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Answered by Kirsty McNeill - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Scotland Office)

The Scotland Office does not employ staff directly. All staff that join do so on an assignment, loan or secondment for other Government departments, who remain the employers.

As information relating to the demographics of staff is held by the employing departments, the Scotland Office is not able to provide evidence into the review of the ethnicity harmonised standard.

Question to the Ministry of Justice:

To ask the Secretary of State for Justice, what evidence his Department submitted to the Office for National Statistics' review of the ethnicity harmonised standard, including in relation to the recording of Sikhs and Jewish people as ethnic groups.

Answered by Jake Richards - Assistant Whip

An initial response to the public consultation is due to be published in April, followed by a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026. This report will include all formal responses to the consultation, and the names of the organisations that responded.

Question to the Department for Business and Trade:

To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what evidence his Department submitted to the Office for National Statistics' review of the ethnicity harmonised standard, including in relation to the recording of Sikhs and Jewish people as ethnic groups.

Answered by Kate Dearden - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)

Question to the Wales Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales, what evidence her Department submitted to the Office for National Statistics' review of the ethnicity harmonised standard, including in relation to the recording of Sikhs and Jewish people as ethnic groups.

Answered by Jo Stevens - Secretary of State for Wales

A review of the harmonised standard for ethnicity data collection is underway by the Government Statistical Service Harmonisation team.

A public consultation between October 2025 and February 2026 sought views from a wide range of users, including Government Departments and public bodies, to understand user needs for ethnic group data. This was supplemented by a programme of engagement activity, including with representatives of all government departments represented in the Government Statistical Service.

The ONS have committed to providing an initial response to the public consultation in April, and a full report on the consultation in late summer 2026 will include more detailed information on the departments that responded to the consultation.