Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Diversity, Equality and Inclusion: Public Sector

Wednesday 5 November 2025 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Minister committed to breaking down barriers to opportunity in the public sector.
  • Government aims to ensure public servants reflect the diversity of the communities they serve.
  • Minister acknowledged the importance of DEI practices for equality and transparency.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jack Rankin Con Windsor
Women & Equalities
Context

The question stems from a recent statement by the Education Secretary criticizing white working-class boys for being 'betrayed' and highlights specific internship programs run by MI5, MI6, GCHQ, and House of Commons that are open only to people from ethnic minority backgrounds.

Question

What assessment does the Minister have of the effectiveness of diversity, equality, and inclusion schemes in the public sector when earlier this year the Education Secretary said white working-class boys ‘have been betrayed’ yet MI5, MI6, GCHQ and the House of Commons run internship schemes open only to people from ethnic minority backgrounds? What message does it send to our children when some doors are closed because of skin colour?

Answer from The Minister for Equalities (Olivia Bailey)

This Government are determined to break down barriers to opportunity so that everyone can achieve success, and this commitment is underpinned by strong data and evidence. It is right that people who serve our country reflect the communities they serve; these schemes are about levelling the playing field, not creating an unfair advantage, and everybody who gains a place has done so on merit.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The specific exclusivity of internship programs based on ethnicity was not directly addressed in detail.

How: Underpinned By Strong Data And Evidence, Reflect The Communities They Serve

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Q2 Florence Eshalomi Labour (Co-op) Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Women & Equalities
Context

The context is the celebration of Black History Month, highlighting the need to continue promoting diversity beyond this month.

Question

As we come to the end of celebrating Black History Month, it is vital that we continue to promote diversity in all workplaces. Does the Minister agree that DEI practices are fundamental for equality, fairness and transparency and preventing discrimination?

Answer from The Minister for Equalities (Olivia Bailey)

I thank my hon. Friend for her great campaigning work. I agree with her that we must do absolutely everything possible to break down all barriers to opportunity in our country.

Answered
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Q3 Claire Coutinho Con East Surrey
Standards & Ethics Religion & Faith
Context

The context is criticism towards the previous Labour government's definition of 'Islamophobia' which was adopted by councils involved in grooming gang scandals, limiting discussions about such issues as ‘anti-Muslim racism’. The current Government are bringing a new definition but refuse to publish it before adoption.

Question

Labour’s previous definition of “Islamophobia” was adopted by councils that had grooming gang scandals, and it said that even talking about grooming gangs was an example of “anti-Muslim racism”. Public servants did not speak up because they were scared of being called racist. The Government are now bringing in a new definition but refuse to publish it before adoption. Will the Minister commit to publishing the draft definition for full public scrutiny?

Answer from The Minister for Equalities (Olivia Bailey)

Wherever there is abuse, it should be tackled, and we will publish details in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The commitment to publish the draft definition before adoption was not directly stated.

How: Tackled, Due Course

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