Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, whether an equality impact assessment has been carried out on planned reductions in funding of the Equality and Human Rights Commission up to 2020.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has a budget of £20.4m for 2016-17. Budgets for the years 2017-18, 2018-19 and 2019-20 are being finalised by the Department for Education in consultation with the EHRC, and are consistent with the spending review settlement provided to the Department. We hope to be in a position to confirm budgets for these years shortly.

The EHRC has, and will, continue to receive sufficient funds to enable it to fulfil its statutory functions.

In finalising the budget allocation for the spending review period, the Government Equalities Office will have continued due regard to its responsibilities under the Public Sector Equality Duty.