Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:

To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Ashton of Hyde on 9 January (HL Deb, cols 130–34), whether they intend to make representations to the BBC regarding their duties under the Equality Act 2010.

The Government is clear that as a public service broadcaster funded by the licence fee, the BBC has a responsibility to set an example for others and lead the way in promoting equality in the workplace, and the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport speaks to the BBC on this. The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the regulatory body responsible for policing equal pay and it is for them, not the Government, to investigate this matter and take further action if necessary.