Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, if she will (a) publish in full the final version of the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s updated Code of Practice before it is laid for approval and (b) allow parliamentary debate on the Code’s provisions prior to ministerial sign-off.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has revised its Code of Practice for Services, Public Functions and Associations following the six week consultation and submitted it to the Minister for Women and Equalities.

The Parliamentary process for laying the Code in Parliament is set out in the Equality Act 2006. The Government will consider the draft updated Code and, if the decision is taken to approve it, the minister will lay it before Parliament. Parliament will then have a 40 day period to consider the Code at which point it will be published.