2nd Special Report - Implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 5 in the UK: Government and Office for National Statistics Responses to the Committee’s Eighth Report of Session 2016–17

This is the government's response, published 20 October 2017.

Summary written by Accountability Index from the government's response. It is not the government's own words.

The government says it remains "fully committed to the implementation of the goals" and believes integrating them into Single Departmental Plans is the best way to deliver SDG 5, rather than creating separate coordination or reporting mechanisms.

• On reporting to the UN, the government is "committed to undertaking a voluntary national review" and is "currently considering when" to put itself forward, so no date is given for 2018.
• It does not adopt a Cabinet Office-led National Implementation Plan, stating that the goals "should not require a separate coordinating mechanism" and that it will use existing mechanisms to avoid a proliferation of structures.
• On sexual and reproductive health, the Department of Health "will carefully consider" including the Beijing Platform wording in its Single Departmental Plan, "subject to the Single Departmental Plan clearance process".
• On a civil society partnership mechanism, the government will continue regular engagement but intends to track delivery "without putting in place additional mechanism". The ONS says it will host an event with the Royal Statistical Society in early 2018 on the gender data gap.

Read the government's response ↗ Report an error