3. Business Statement and Announcement

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:10 pm on 17 September 2019.

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Photo of Mohammad Asghar Mohammad Asghar Conservative 3:10, 17 September 2019

Minister, may I ask for a statement from the Deputy Minister and Chief Whip about the Welsh Government action plan to advance equality for transgender people published three years ago, in 2016? The Assembly will be aware that the equality impact assessments are a process designed to ensure that a policy, project and scheme does not discriminate against any disadvantaged or vulnerable person or people in our society. However, in response to a Freedom of Information Act 2000 request for a copy of the assessment relating to this action plan, the Welsh Government replied that they do not hold the required information. When pressed for further comments, the response received was—and the quote is, Minister—

'I understand that at the time of the development of the action plan an equality impact assessment was undertaken, to be updated throughout the consultation process.'

The quote continues:

'We have undertaken a thorough search, unfortunately, it appears that this document has since been deleted from our electronic record system and is not available to access.'

Minister, can we have a statement from the Deputy Minister on this unsatisfactory situation, and what action she intends to take to review the plan to ensure it meets its objective of advancing equality for transgender people in Wales, please?