Race Equality Engagement Group 2026-01-28
2026-01-28
TAGS
Response quality
Questions & Answers
Q1
Partial Answer
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Context
The latest Office for National Statistics figures reveal that UK-born black, African, Caribbean or black British employees earn 5.6% less than UK-born white employees.
I represent a hard-working, diverse community, yet the latest Office for National Statistics figures on the median-adjusted pay gap for UK-born black, African, Caribbean or black British employees show that they earn 5.6% less than UK-born white employees. That means that many of my hard-working constituents are not being paid fairly. The Government have committed to enshrine in law the right to equal pay for black and other ethnic minority people. Will the Government say when this welcome manifesto commitment will be met?
My hon. Friend is right to raise this issue. The race equality engagement group is engaging with minority communities across the country to tackle inequality. We are committed to our manifesto commitment and to making the right to equal pay effective for ethnic minority people. We are also introducing mandatory ethnicity pay gap reporting for large employers.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline for enshrining the right to equal pay in law as requested.
Response accuracy
Q2
Partial Answer
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Context
The Minister has previously announced a consultation and draft legislation to address the ethnicity pay gap, but there is no update on when the draft Bill will be published.
It is 316 days since the Minister announced that consultation, and it is 560 days since the King’s Speech when the draft legislation was announced. The Minister has made it clear that she expects the draft Bill to be published during this Session. Please will she update us on whether that is still her promise and when we can expect to see that draft Bill to reduce and remove the ethnicity pay gap that people are struggling with?
As I have highlighted, we are continuing to move forward with our plans. We published the call for evidence and are analysing the responses. We will update the House on our plans soon.
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Assessment & feedback
Did not provide a specific timeline or date for publishing the draft Bill as requested.
Response accuracy