🗣️ Speeches and Debates
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I had hoped that the noble Baroness would have listened to my response to the Front Benches. To be clear, we have identified gaps in existing law where we cannot prosecute offences properly. The legislation on domestic abuse and coercive control, for example, is designed for someone who has a relationship with an intimate partner and would not capture the offence committed by someone they did...
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I thank my noble friend for her question. She is absolutely right, and that is why the pre-legislative scrutiny will be important. We are very clear that the Government will not dictate how people raise their children. Our measures are not intended to infringe parents’ rights to bring up their children in line with their beliefs and values. We are clear that the ban must be, as my noble...
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I cannot be clearer, and I will repeat the point: this is not about the Government dictating to people how to raise their children. The measures in the Bill are not intended to infringe parents’ rights to bring up their children in line with their beliefs or core values. That is the straight answer. We will see how this can be properly tested and scrutinised in the pre-legislative Joint...
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I thank the noble Lord and I appreciate his comments. I meant what I said: there is cross-party consensus and a consensus across this House on stopping this abuse, and he is absolutely right. The United Kingdom has long championed the rights of LGBT+ people at home and abroad, and we proudly uphold one of the most expansive legislative frameworks in the world—and I want to make it clear...
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I thank the right reverend Prelate. The important thing here is that the consultations have been going on for some time, as have the debates on this legislation, as the noble Lord, Lord Hayward, pointed out. However, we remain committed to that level of consultation. The Government have no intention of interfering with people’s right to religious belief and expression. We are not seeking to...
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I thank my noble friend for emphasising that point, because I think it is really important. I also thank him for his congratulations on my appointment as Special Envoy for LGBT+ Rights. That is an additional task I am extremely willing to take on, because in the current global climate, it is important that we can set out how we and our values in this country are so important—how we have...
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I think I am inclined to agree with the noble Baroness that scrutiny is about challenge. I have no problem with questions being asked. I have no problem in addressing the issues that have been raised this afternoon. I have attempted to give very clear reassurances, as did my honourable friend in the other place, that the Bill will not interfere with the rights of parents, will not impact on...
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I thank the noble and right reverend Lord for his question and sort of agree with him. I have tried to be clear that the Bill criminalises abusive, harmful acts that are intended to change a person’s sexual orientation or transgender identity. That is what it is intended to do. Like my honourable friend in the other place, I welcome questions. I am not fearful of challenge. That is why we...
More of Lord Collins of Highbury's speeches and debates
✍️ Written Questions and Answers
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We want people to have the option to use the digital ID to make their lives easier. There will be no legal obligation for people to have or present the national digital ID. If someone does not want a digital ID they will not have to get it. Legislation on the digital ID will be subject to Parliamentary scrutiny in the usual way. Any changes to the scope of this legislation after it passes...
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The digital ID consultation, running from 10 March to 5 May, is open to all members of the public, including those who expressed interest via the House of Commons petition. We have launched a comprehensive communications campaign to ensure broad awareness. Members of the public can contribute via the GOV.UK survey, email or post.
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The Government has launched a national conversation to ensure the digital ID system is shaped by all communities. The digital ID consultation will involve 8 weeks of open engagement – running from 10 March to 5 May - where anyone who wants to take part can share their views in ways that work for them. You can do this online via an online form, by email or by post. We will also support...
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The Equality Act 2010 (the Act) defines disability as a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on a person’s ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities. The Act defines long-term in this context as having lasted, or being likely to last for at least 12 months, or likely to last for the rest of the life of the person. Mental health and...
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The EHRC has submitted its draft Code to Ministers, and we are reviewing it with the care it deserves. It is crucial that providers have legally robust guidance on how to apply the Equality Act, which is why we are considering the draft Code properly. We have always been clear that the proper process needs to be followed. The Code will have implications for service providers up and down the...
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I refer the Noble Lord to my answer on 5 March 2026 (PQ HL14227): Question: To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Collins of Highbury on 2 February (HL Deb col 1299), what is the evidential basis that all public services they deliver are in full compliance with the law, as set out in the ruling of the Supreme Court in For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers...
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The Minister is following the process in the Equality Act 2006 and is consulting the Devolved Governments at the relevant stages, as required under section 14(9). Consultation with Welsh and Scottish Ministers is required if, or in so far as, the Code relates to a duty imposed by or under the Public Sector Equality Duty. As part of the consultation, the draft Code has been shared with the...
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As clarified by Lord Collins during the debate on 2 February, the Government is absolutely committed to fully implementing the For Women Scotland Ltd v The Scottish Ministers [2025] Supreme Court ruling. Where necessary, government departments are carefully reviewing the ruling’s potential implications in full to ensure that their policies and guidance are legally compliant. It is...
More of Lord Collins of Highbury's written questions
