First Report - Levelling Up and equality: a new framework for change
Select Committee
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 702
24 September 2021
Government response
Levelling Up and equality: a new framework for change: Government response to the Committee’s first report · published 2 Dec 2021
Recommendations & Conclusions
7 results
56
Recommendation
Rejected
We recommend the Government bring forward a revised Standing Order, to make the Women and...
Recommendation
We recommend the Government bring forward a revised Standing Order, to make the Women and Equalities Committee a cross-cutting Select Committee of the House of Commons, appointed to examine cross-government policy on pan-equalities issues, and socio-economic inequality, geographic disparities and …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that the Women and Equalities Committee’s current Standing Order already provides significant flexibility for its work.
Government Equalities Office
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59
Recommendation
Rejected
We welcome the Government’s intention to focus more on socio-economic and geographic inequality and look...
Recommendation
We welcome the Government’s intention to focus more on socio-economic and geographic inequality and look forward to the publication of its Levelling Up White Paper. While enactment of the socio-economic duty, section 1 of the Equality Act, is unlikely to …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Government Equalities Office
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60
Recommendation
Rejected
Given some of the Minister for Women and Equalities’ comments in her “new fight for...
Recommendation
Given some of the Minister for Women and Equalities’ comments in her “new fight for fairness” speech about not focusing on groups, we are concerned about a risk of going backwards on important, long-established equality issues for groups of people …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Government Equalities Office
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61
Recommendation
Rejected
In 2018, our predecessor Committee found that allocation of the Minister for Women and Equalities...
Recommendation
In 2018, our predecessor Committee found that allocation of the Minister for Women and Equalities role as an additional responsibility of a Cabinet Minister was sub-optimal. The role was susceptible to Cabinet reshuffles and its allocation seemed like an afterthought. …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Government Equalities Office
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62
Recommendation
Rejected
We note both the current absence of a cross-departmental equalities strategy and strong coordinating machinery...
Recommendation
We note both the current absence of a cross-departmental equalities strategy and strong coordinating machinery to drive it forward. We therefore recommend the Government establish a dedicated Cabinet Committee for Equalities and Levelling Up, to add further drive to both …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation, stating that the portfolios of Ministers and Cabinet Committees are the prerogative of the Prime Minister.
Government Equalities Office
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64
Recommendation
Rejected
International conventions, including the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against...
Recommendation
International conventions, including the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD), the International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Government Equalities Office
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66
Recommendation
Rejected
The Equality Hub should conduct a review of the Government’s communications on, and management of,...
Recommendation
The Equality Hub should conduct a review of the Government’s communications on, and management of, sensitive and balanced rights issues, drawing in particular on lessons learned from the Gender Recognition Act reform process since 2018 and the Government’s approach to …
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Government Response Summary
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.
Government Equalities Office
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