Carolyn Harris MP Backs Labour Call For Government to Publish the Equality Impact of its Policies
Carolyn Harris, the Member of Parliament for Swansea East said,
I am supporting Labour’s amendment NC6 to the Finance Bill on Tuesday, which calls on the government to publish an equality impact assessment on the provisions of the Finance Bill.
This amendment is an important opportunity to protect women and those from our diverse communities who have suffered from the government’s failed austerity project for far too long.
We know the poorest black and Asian households have faced the biggest drop in living standards, 19% and 20% respectively, as a result of tax and benefit changes since 2010. The government then exacerbated the problem with an autumn budget which saw men receive 46% more spending than women.
It’s time for the government to be honest and transparent and demonstrate how they are meeting their legal duty under the Equality Act 2010 to have due regard for those with protected characteristics. They have avoided the issue for too long.
Women have disproportionately suffered from this government’s policies and enough is enough. That is why I on Tuesday I will be voting to force the government to publish a comprehensive equality impact assessment of the impact of its polices on women and those with protected characteristics.
ENDS
