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

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if they will take steps to (a) publish an equality impact assessment and (b) consult with trade unions when proposing new HR policies for their Department; and if they will make a statement.

a) Equality Impact Assessments:

i. An Equality Impact Assessment is carried out for all new HR policies in Defra. Our HR Policy Team routinely considers equality impacts in relation to new HR policies and significant changes to existing HR policies and takes advice as necessary from our HR Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team to ensure compliance with our Public Sector Equality Duty.

ii. For new policies and where there is a significant change in policy, staff networks are consulted in preparation of the Equality Impact Assessment to ensure that potential equality impacts are identified and addressed.

iii. The Equality Impact Assessments are not routinely published but are available to staff on request.

b) Trade unions are always consulted in the development of new HR policies in Defra, through regular meetings between Defra HR and trade union representatives.