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Written question asked by John Hayes (Conservative) on Monday, 20 May 2024, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 22 May 2024. It was answered by Damian Hinds (Conservative) on Friday, 24 May 2024 on behalf of the Department for Education.

Department for Education: Equality

Question

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what the cost to the public purse was of staff diversity networks in her Department in each of the last five years.

Answer

The government has audited the cost-effectiveness of all equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) activities, through the review of EDI spending announced last June.

On 14 May, the Minister without Portfolio made a written statement on the latest findings from the review. This can be found at: https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-statements/detail/2024-05-14/hcws464.

In response to these findings, the Cabinet Office is publishing the Civil Service EDI Expenditure Guidance. This includes an end to all external spending on EDI activity, unless cleared and authorised by Ministers.

Further guidance on diversity staff networks is being developed, and the department will seek to publish additional data on historic spending to assist transparency in this area.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
26946
Session
2023-24
Related items
Subjects
Equality Department for Education
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk