The role of the GEO: embedding equalities across Government - WEC deadline Wed 17th

[OhHolyJesus]

Not sure if there is a thread on this already - 5 days 'til the deadline.

committees.parliament.uk/call-for-evidence/368/the-role-of-the-geo-embedding-equalities-across-government/

Terms of Reference:

• The structure and function of the GEO and its location in the Cabinet Office: how effectively does this enable it to support cross-departmental work on equalities, including the collection and analysis of equalities data?
• The GEO’s role in supporting compliance with international obligations including the UN Conventions and Sustainable Development Goals;
• The role of Minister for Women and Equalities: what does it mean for this to be a dual-departmental role? How robustly does it champion equalities across Government?
• The GEO’s role in highlighting the numerous equalities issues which have been exacerbated by the pandemic;
• The inquiry will also consider the new approaches and initiatives which Minister for Women and Equalities Liz Truss announced in her speech on fighting for fairness at the Centre for Policy Studies on Dec 16 2020, including the implications of the GEO taking on sponsorship of the Social Mobility Commission.

Caroline Noakes in Politics Home:

www.politicshome.com/thehouse/article/government-must-assess-the-equality-impact-of-every-policy-or-risk-turning-the-clock-back

Bump

Bump. About to submit mine but am trying to limit the bile because I'm sure that wont get me any points. Am letting them know that I'm also sending a copy to my MP and Liz Truss because I am pointing out that they no longer have my trust

Nice work High

I hadn't thought of also sending to your MP and direct to Liz Truss.

Might have to sharpen mine up and do the same!

I've been thinking about how wide a remit can be stretched for a Minister...when the inquiry background paper talks about different departments getting involved in other pieces of work for example the Dept for work and pensions housing the Office for Disability issue, the WEC seem to be saying that this doesn't work. Maybe it doesn't. I get why you would want a Dept to be focused and connected to relevant Dept but isn't there a value in Ministers and Depts having other issues to work on.

Andrea Leadsom as Business Sec has done stuff on time off for bereavement. I'm not sure that's a bad thing.

Another thing the WEC seems fixated on is where the GEO sits in the govt structure but I think the idea of moving it is connected to getting rid of Truss. The whole thing appears to be them undermining her...

Here's my final flourish Whilst the GEO has trained itself to destruction and opened up Whitehall’s loos to all, equality has become worse.

I have talked about women become separate from equalities because it's gone backwards. I don't expect my submission to get published because I have really laid into them, but I'm telling them that I am sending a copy to my MP and Liz Truss. Just to make sure, both will be going snail mail

Good work High! I hope others are sending submissions, it's been quiet in this one and I'm concerned there will be high levels of submissions against Truss, but it is just a committee, their word isn't law and I don't think Boris will reshuffle right now.

I think people might have been put off by the questions. I was at first and then just went for it, though I did try to stick to the remit.

If they are trying to get rid of Truss, they would be better off with a 'better the devil' because I doubt Boris would be daft enough to go for e.g. Caroline Noakes.

I read the Caroline Noakes article and at the bottom 'Durham Lass' points out that of all the Conservative LGBT MP's none are women. I replied that lesbians were being hounded and need to be encouraged blah blah. I think though that this was a dig at wanting T's not L's

I read the Women and Equality Minister Role needing to be "dedicated" i.e. full time and "consistent" as the select committee trying to get Liz Truss out because she is defending sex based rights and she has a duel role (Other role more Senior)
One of the points is that the WE Minister has changed X times in X years. If it changes again it will be X+1 ministers in X years so that will not help with continuity. I agree that Women and Equalities don't sit well together, especially if there there are conflicts of interest between groups that need representation, but if Liz Truss goes we could end up with someone who is unable to see that conflict

The existing thread is here. Wasn't hard to find!

Shame to split responses

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/womens_rights/4142421-Another-Consultation-from-WEC-somewhat-biased-against-women-Possibly-Targeting-Liz-Truss

Unless of course there are two running at the same time!

Thanks Stumbled don't know why I couldn't find it, should have searched for Truss!