The role of the GEO: embedding equalities across Government

Women and Equalities Committee Closed Inquiry
Opened: 13 Jan 2021 Closed: 12 Dec 2022 Parliament page
The Committee will examine how the Government Equalities Office (GEO) is delivering on its responsibilities, which are: - improving equality and reducing discrimination and disadvantage for all in the UK; - taking the lead on the Equality Act 2010 and being the lead department on gender, and lesbian, gay, bisexual … Read more
11 Recommendations
2 Conclusions
1 Report
3 Oral sessions
10 Letters
3 Events
Activity timeline 15 events
25 May
2021
Oral evidence sessions 3 sessions
The role of the GEO: embedding equalities across Government
Rt Hon Baroness Nicky Morgan (former Minister for Women and Equalities 2014-16) Rt Hon Penny Mordant MP, Paymaster General (former Minister for Women and Equalities 2018-19)
Marcus Bell · Equality Hub The Rt Hon Elizabeth Truss MP · Government Equalities Office
Dr Wanda Wyporska · The Equality Trust Melanie Field · Equality and Human Rights Commission Rt Hon Justine Greening · Social Mobility Pledge Tansy Hutchinson · Equally Ours The Baroness Falkner of Margravine Tim Durrant · Institute for Government
Recommendations & Conclusions
4 results
55 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - Levelling Up and eq…
We welcome the Equality Hub’s understanding of our central role in parliamentary scrutiny of its...
We welcome the Equality Hub’s understanding of our central role in parliamentary scrutiny of its administration, policy and expenditure, and that of its constituent units, including the Government Equalities Office, the Disability Unit, the Race Disparity Unit and its latest … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the committee's understanding of its scrutiny role and commits to fully engaging with the Committee and maintaining a constructive relationship.
Government Equalities Office
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57 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Levelling Up and eq…
It is deeply disappointing and unacceptable that officials and ministers were unwilling to be openly...
It is deeply disappointing and unacceptable that officials and ministers were unwilling to be openly scrutinised in this inquiry, which is at the core of our remit. We hope this inquiry and Report can be a watershed in the Government’s … Read more
Government Response
The government accepts the recommendation and commits to fully engaging with the Committee and continuing to build a constructive relationship regarding scrutiny of its equality policies.
Government Equalities Office
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58 Conclusion Accepted
First Report - Levelling Up and eq…
The Government Equalities Office’s move into the coordinating centre of government, in the Cabinet Office,...
The Government Equalities Office’s move into the coordinating centre of government, in the Cabinet Office, and the potential expansion of its coordinating role with the inception of the Equality Hub, is positive but the benefits are yet to be fully … Read more
Government Response
The government response outlines current achievements and the established structure of the Equality Hub, highlighting its work, including G7 presidency efforts, but does not commit to new actions to address the committee's concerns about fragmentation or the lack of a published cross-departmental equalities strategy.
Government Equalities Office
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65 Recommendation Accepted
First Report - Levelling Up and eq…
Equality for different groups can raise difficult, balanced rights issues, for example race or religion...
Equality for different groups can raise difficult, balanced rights issues, for example race or religion and belief can sometimes conflict with equal rights on the grounds of sex or sexual orientation. There are lessons to be learned from recent delicately … Read more
Government Response
The government states that the Equality Hub and EHRC already regularly engage a wide range of stakeholders on complex equality issues, including balanced rights, and therefore sees no need for additional or new activity as recommended.
Government Equalities Office
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Government Response AI assessment · 13 of 11 classified

Total 11 recs + 2 conclusions
Correspondence 10 letters
19 Nov 2021 Correspondence to the Chair from the Minister for Levelling Up Communities and Equalities relating to the Government Equalities Office finances
Parliament page
19 Jul 2021 Correspondence from the Chair to Rt Hon Baroness Morgan of Cotes relating to the Committee’s inquiry into Reform of the GEO
Parliament page
19 Jul 2021 Correspondence from the Chair to Rt Hon Theresa May relating to the Committee’s inquiry into Reform of the GEO
Parliament page
13 May 2021 Correspondence from the Minister for Women and Equalities to the Chair in relation to the Relationship between the Women and Equalities Committee and the Government Equalities Office
Parliament page
28 Apr 2021 Correspondence from the Chair to Minister for Women and Equalities relating to the Relationship between the Women and Equalities Committee and the Government Equalities Office
Parliament page
27 Apr 2021 Correspondence from the Chair to the Minister for Equalities in lieu of oral evidence to the GEO inquiry scheduled for 25 May
Parliament page
27 Apr 2021 Correspondence from the Chair to Marcus Bell, Director of the Equality Hub, relating to relating to the Committee’s inquiry into The role of the GEO: embedding equalities across Government
Parliament page
27 Apr 2021 Correspondence from the Chair to the Minister for Women in lieu of oral evidence scheduled for 25 May
Parliament page
23 Apr 2021 Correspondence from the Social Mobility Commission to the Committee relating to our inquiry into The role of the GEO: embedding equalities across Government
Parliament page
23 Mar 2021 From committee Letter to the Chair from the Interim Co-Chair’s of the Social Mobility Commission relating to its move to the move to the Equality Hub
Parliament page