Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, with reference to the policy paper, Equal pay and pay discrimination, of 14 July 2026, what assessment has been made of the potential impact of the proposed reforms on the finances of local government paybill..

The Office for Equality and Opportunity (OEO) published the consultation on equal pay and pay discrimination on 14 July 2026, following the Call for Evidence on Equality Law in 2025.

The consultation seeks views on how we can comprehensively reform the pay discrimination framework so that it works better for workers, businesses and the justice system. This includes seeking views on the financial viability and impacts of the proposed reforms and their potential implications for the local government sector.

The OEO is prioritising proportionate, targeted measures for consultation where there is the clearest evidence of their ability to increase pay equality. We will publish a full impact assessment on these measures in due course.