First Report - Levelling Up and equality: a new framework for change

The government accepts in part, stating that annual staffing and funding information is already published in the Cabinet Office report, and commits to providing further bi-annual information directly to the Committee to support scrutiny.

The government accepts the committee's understanding of its scrutiny role and commits to fully engaging with the Committee and maintaining a constructive relationship.

The government rejects the recommendation, stating that the Women and Equalities Committee’s current Standing Order already provides significant flexibility for its work.

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.

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.

The government rejected the recommendation for a pilot on the voluntary adoption of the socio-economic duty, stating it is not necessary at this time and that they first want to evaluate existing voluntary adoptions in devolved public bodies and some English local authorities.

The government rejects the recommendation to publish a cross-departmental pan-equalities strategy and annual Action Plans, stating the Equality Hub's objectives are already integrated into the Cabinet Office's Outcome Delivery Plan and existing strategies.

The government rejects the recommendation to create a full-time Cabinet-level Secretary of State for Equalities and Levelling Up, stating that ministerial portfolios are the Prime Minister's prerogative.

The government rejects the recommendation, stating that the portfolios of Ministers and Cabinet Committees are the prerogative of the Prime Minister.

The government accepts in part, agreeing the Equality Hub should lead on PSED, noting the public inquiry's terms are pending, and confirming the Equality Hub's ongoing involvement in reviewing disproportionate impacts in the National Risk Register.

The government rejects the recommendation, asserting that the Equality Hub already works effectively and collaboratively with other departments to meet international equality commitments and provide timely reporting, arguing that the current multi-departmental approach allows for specialized policy expertise.

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.

The government rejects the recommendation for the Equality Hub to conduct a review of communications on sensitive rights issues, stating the Hub already engages regularly with stakeholders and refers to the EHRC's existing considerations.