Baroness Noakes parliamentary questions - the ones we’ve been saying need answering after the ONS/FPFW case!

[Leafstamp]

mobile.twitter.com/fairplaywomen/status/1374026360579051520

This is brilliant news. Not long to wait for answers either.

I would also like to know why the census went live about two weeks before census day. Wasn’t Justice Swift “surprised” that so many census forms had been completed early?

The ongoing assault on women's rights has demonstrated the benefits of having a body of law-makers who do not need to worry about popularity, balancing our vote-chasing elected representatives.

Yes I've done a complete 180 on this issue in general, having seen this in action. Checks and balances are important.

@Cattenberg

I would also like to know why the census went live about two weeks before census day. Wasn’t Justice Swift “surprised” that so many census forms had been completed early?

Yes. This. It's all very shady.

Thank you card about to be posted. I am truly grateful to the HoL and their grasping of the issue.

@malloo

Arabella you just made me snort

its people like you that make everyone go all coy and ask for gender instead of sex you know

Happy to be the Sid James of FWR.

Agree this has proved to me why the HoL is very necessary. And elected members and govt appointed cronies and just shuffling the HoC comments in there need to be minimised. This needs to be a group of people with actual common sense, life experience, serious careers in their field, no interest in populism for votes and no problem with saying difficult things that political parties don't want said.

HoC contents, not comments

Today is the deadline for answers isn't it?

@Thecatonthemat

Did she ask the questions in the HOL or were there written?

You can find her questions here and when answered there will be links to those on the same page I understand.

members.parliament.uk/member/2554/writtenquestions

Nothing yet? Leaving it to the last minute, perhaps?

on tenterhooks - might we actually get some clear answers?

Thanks ChristinaXYZ, I'll check throughout the day.

These answers better be up to snuff. Thanks for bringing the deadline say to our attention!

Still nothing. The questions ahead of these have been answered though.

I'd LOVE to be a fly on the wall.

It's quite a lot for them to answer, some stuff is fundamental, so I don't think they'll be able to fudge. Who will blame who?

I think they are going to miss their deadline!

Thanks for the link. Watching out here too.

Here we go: Answered by Lord True. all questions grouped together.

In the proceedings brought by Fair Play for Women in relation to the sex question guidance in Census 2021 in England and Wales, the claimant’s solicitors named the Minister for the Cabinet Office as an interested party. The Cabinet Office considered this appropriate as the department responsible for the census legislation.

The legal costs have not yet been fully determined for the above proceedings.

The Order made by the court, in the case referenced above specifically related to the census legislation. The court made a distinction between a person’s sex as recognised by law and the gender with which a person self-identifies. HM Government will note this more broadly, and reflect on whether further guidance for government departments and public bodies is required.

HM Government also recognises the importance of accurate data collection.

HM Government has monitored progress of Census 2021 through regular engagement with the Cabinet Office, the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and HM Treasury. The Government is confident that Census 2021 will be successful and provide a wealth of data reflecting the society we live in today. ha.

This question is grouped with 4 other questions:
HL14335, HL14336, HL14337, HL14338

will note this more broadly,

We don't really need it to be noted, we need it to be defined in law and legislation.

Hmmm.

HM Government will note this more broadly, and reflect on whether further guidance for government departments and public bodies is required. does this mean a proper review of the use of gender more widely? I do hope so

Hmm.

the gender with which a person self-identifies. Mixing sex and gender again and the Government said NO to self-id.

Notable absence of any response to the question about consultations receiving a broad range of respondents, wonder why Lord True skated over that one?

You need to do a hell of a lot more than reflect HM Government.

Well as expected a fudge.... but does it cover up 1. going to do nothing or 2. Corblimey, this is a bit more serious than we thought, got to look into this.....

What do you think?

@loveyouradvice

Well as expected a fudge.... but does it cover up 1. going to do nothing or 2. Corblimey, this is a bit more serious than we thought, got to look into this.....

What do you think?

I don't know to be honest.

It should be option 2 as there is a lot of sunlight pouring in, a lot of pushbacks and court challenges, plus the recent awful death of Sarah Everard and the deluge of responses to the Everyone's Invited website regarding the toxic misogynistic culture in schools and the appalling number of rapes and sexual assaults on female students has put women and their rights at the top of current discourse.

However, I am so cynical that I think it will be option 1 until the shit really hits the fan, which it will, then it will be the usual weasel words and hand wringing.

Thanks for reminding us the deadline was today RedDogs and to IDont for the content.

These people really didn't pay attention in primary school English Comprehension class did they?!

The fact that they've glossed over the questions is very telling. Although fair enough about not knowing the costs yet.

I think (hope) you're right loveyouradvice. I think they are going to be reviewing all this as a fairly urgent project. Although knowing big organisations and big projects, nothing will happen quickly.

I am in correspondence with my MP and the Minister for Women over this issue. I'd urge others to write to their MPs, and contact any government departments where you see them using gender when they mean sex. It's absolutely everywhere on most gov.uk websites, and eg DWP correspondence.

Haha "yes please"

I'm still laughing