§ Jackie BallardTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he(a) has established and (b) published a baseline for policy appraisal against which to measure progress on equal treatment. [94858]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Government are committed to ensuring their policies are fair and inclusive, and focus on public service users, not providers. This aim is contained in guidance (published in 1998) which helps Departments consider the impact of their policies on gender, ethnicity and disability. In addition to considering impact the guidance encourages consultation with women's groups and others where appropriate and action to deal with any differential impact if this appears appropriate. The Treasury applies the principles contained in the guidance when developing its policies. For example a full gender analysis of the Budget's impact was undertaken last year and will be again this year.