Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of whether the recommendations of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s strategic plan 2016-19 support key parts of the Equalities Act 2010 such as the implementation of section 106 on the Information about diversity in range of candidates.

In common with other such Plans which it has published, the EHRC’s Strategic Plan 2016-19 sets priority areas and intended actions for the Commission’s own work over the three years in question, but does not make recommendations either for Government or for other EHRC stakeholders. The relevant Priority Area (“Citizenship and Democracy”) of the EHRC’s Strategic Plan 2016-19 accordingly commits it to “focus on delivering improvements in relation to political representation and civic participation; anti-extremism and anti-terrorism legislation and surveillance powers; and freedom of expression and freedom to associate in a trade union.”

The Government notes these commitments, but has not made an assessment of their merits in tackling the barriers facing women in politics and public life, or of whether they support aspects of the Equality Act 2010 such as Section 106. It is for the EHRC, as an independent public authority, to progress the commitments as it sees fit.