How do you consult on the GRA reform etc.

[Melamin]

If today is the start of consultation on the reforms to the GRA, what do you do if you want be consulted, as an ordinary member of the public.

Where do you go? How do you do it?

There is usually an online form you can complete. The challenge is that they ask specific questions and whilst you can ‘go for it’ and say what you like, they will simply work with the material that directly addresses the questions posed.

Following, if anyone has a link to where individual members of the public can put their view forward.

Also, write to your MP about the consultation. You can request that they forward your issues to the Equalities Minister too.

Boatyard, I think that it looks writing to your MP remains the best idea. I am going off to construct one.

If anyone spots a link for individuals to put their case, please share.

I would appreciate a bullet point list of the main points we need to cover. I'm happy to write it up in my own words, but I don't want to come across as either rambling or ranting.

The consultation will be on this site once it is launched.
www.gov.uk/government/publications?publication_filter_option=consultations

Fair Play for Women produced a lot of useful information for people participating in the Scottish GRA consultation earlier this year. If the UK-wide consultation is similar, much of this will be useful.
fairplayforwomen.com/scotland/

The consultation will have a series of questions requiring yes/no/don't know type answers, followed by a space for comments. It is worth putting some comments in about the reasons for your response. I'm sure there will be lots of helpful links and information on here once the consultation is published.

And everyone - don't rush. Take your time. Quality over quantity!

"I would appreciate a bullet point list of the main points we need to cover. I'm happy to write it up in my own words, but I don't want to come across as either rambling or ranting."

Seconding the above comment, I would rather my comments be plain and simple rather than the rambling that I normally do. Will be keeping an eye out for the consultation as I am very concerned on the effects this will have on children with SEN (be that learning/behavioural or physical).

It will be online, not announced yet. I expect Fair Play and WPUK will produce briefing and guidelines. There will be plenty of time to respond, and consider and draw up the key points you want to make.

If you follow WPUK and FPFW on twitter I'm sure they'll announce it.

I hope so. I spent a lot of time being 'rushed' o the Scottish one, I'd like to do much better this time!

Thanks for all the replies.

Quality is definitely the thing to aim for.

It is also important to stand back and re-read anything you have written from the point of view of an outsider.

I find writing quite hard these days. It is definitely a mountain to climb but worth every second it takes.

If you do write to your MP, don't do this instead of completing the official consultation response - it won't get "counted" otherwise. And it's really important to show the (probable) scale of opposition to certain proposals with a "X% of respondents disagreed" type statement

Previous consultations have tended to have simple agree / disagree / don't know responses to set questions, but then space for free text at the end or to elaborate on specific issues.

As a pp said, there is time to think about this and ensure that the specific questions are answered carefully, as well as making any other points which seems to have been overlooked. Once published, we should expect to have at least 12 weeks to respond

I think that putting together and drafting a letter to your MP should help you when the consultation finally comes along. Definitely best to do the two.

It might be worth reading through some of the responses to the Scottish consultation as background.