Question to the Northern Ireland Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, how much the Department spent on unconscious bias training in each of the last five years.

The Northern Ireland Office (NIO) is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive working environment for all and Unconscious Bias training is mandatory for all staff. It is a requirement for all staff when they join the NIO and to complete refresher training every two years.

The NIO pays an annual fee, like all other departments, for access to a range of Civil Service Learning, including Unconscious Bias. The exact cost spent specifically on Unconscious Bias training in the last five years cannot therefore be quantified.