Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
Recommendation 2
2
Paragraph: 17
We recommend that schemes to support employees and the self-employed should be informed by an...
Recommendation
We recommend that schemes to support employees and the self-employed should be informed by an Equality Impact Assessment, drawing on evidence of existing inequalities. The Government must conduct and publish Equality Impact Assessments of the CJRS and the SEISS alongside its response to this Report. We believe this approach would better protect those already at disadvantage in the labour market, including women, and could inform more effective responses to future crises.
Paragraph Reference:
17
Government Response
Not Addressed
HM Government
Not Addressed
Partially accept. The Government agrees that evidence on inequalities is important when developing any scheme or policy. Which is why, when designing the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme policies and subsequent reforms, advice to Ministers included an analysis of how the policies were likely to affect individuals sharing protected characteristics. This is in line with legal requirements under the Public Sector Equality Duty in the Equality Act 2010, and the internal procedural requirements and support in place for ensuring that such requirements are met in decisions taken and, subsequently, publicly announced by Ministers. There needs to be adequate space for officials and Ministers to share and discuss in confidence all aspects of policy advice so the Government rejects the call to publish this information.