Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how her Department marked Black History Month 2021.

The Department recognises the importance of Black History Month in recognising the contributions that Black people have made to society, and the platform that this also provides in encouraging colleagues to share details of their personal lived experiences and Departmental Race priorities.

This year the Department has worked in collaboration with the DWP National Race Network to run in excess of 40 virtual staff events. These events have been open to everyone and have been supported by the Department’s Permanent Secretary and Executive Team who have each facilitated a discussion on what Black History Month means to them and the Race actions they are progressing. All of the events have been recorded to ensure staff who may not have been able to participate can listen to the replay at a time more convenient time.

In addition to the large number of national Network events that have been scheduled, many of our business areas have also run localised activity. Examples of activities include: personal story telling; sponsorship and mentoring promotion; and communications to celebrate and raise awareness of inspirational Black people.