Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what assessment she has made of the potential costs and impact of the new Socio-Economic Duty on businesses involved in public procurement.

Commencement of the Socio-Economic Duty is a priority and we are working towards that. Only listed public authorities will be in scope of the duty and close consideration is being given to ensure the duty is impactful in the Government's drive to tackle entrenched inequality. The Government is following the usual processes for assessing the impact of the duty.