To ask Her Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of (1) the effectiveness, (2) the operational performance, and (3) the achievements, of the Equality and Human Rights Commission; and whether they have given any consideration to its abolition or replacement.

Ministers, the Director of the Government Equalities Office (GEO) and officials in the GEO hold regular meetings with Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Board members and senior staff, which discuss current operational, spending and budgetary matters as specified by the EHRC’s Framework Document. In addition, GEO attends meetings of EHRC’s Audit and Risk Committee as an observer. The EHRC’s annual reports, which are laid before Parliament by the Secretary of State in accordance with the Equality Act 2006, detail its achievements and the performance of its functions for the relevant financial year.

As part of the Cabinet Office’s ongoing review of all Public Bodies, this Government expects to commence a tailored review of the EHRC in 2017-18. This will provide a further opportunity to consider the EHRC’s effectiveness and operational performance.