Written question asked by Margaret Moran (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 June 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 26 June 2006. It was answered by Meg Munn (Labour) on Tuesday, 27 June 2006 on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government.

Housing (Luton)

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she will make an assessment of the impact on equalities of recent budget decisions by Luton council.

Answer: Public authorities are legally responsible for assessing the impact on equalities of their own policies (including decisions that revise a policy) and functions. The Commission for Racial Equality has powers of enforcement if the Commission is of the view that a public authority has not complied with the duty to promote race equality. Otherwise it is for a public authority itself, in this case Luton council, to demonstrate how its decisions take account of the duty and this is subject to audit.

Secondary information