Revealed: UK Government failed to consider equalities impact for coronavirus briefings

The UK Government did not carry out an Equalities Impact Assessment for its daily statements on coronavirus, The Limping Chicken can reveal.

This comes despite the Cabinet Office telling lawyers it would be “disproportionate” to release such a document.

However, in response to a Freedom of Information request sent by this website asking for a copy of the assessment, the Government said it does not hold the information.

The letter reads: “Following a search of our paper and electronic records, I have established that the information you requested is not held by the Cabinet Office.

“The Government is absolutely committed to making key information accessible to all and we have taken multiple steps to make absolutely certain that, in all our televised updates and in the campaign more generally, we meet our Public Sector Equality Duty.

“We have established BSL interpretation at the daily press conference via the BBC News channel. 

“Since 21 May, the BBC has made their BSL interpretation video feed available to all broadcasters and to No10 for use on government social channels.”

They continue to say that key health advice is available in alternative formats such as British Sign Language (BSL), and that they have established a “communications working group”, with members including representatives from Action on Hearing Loss and the RNIB.

“Finally, we ensure that we publish guidance on how to access a range of formats on our website through the gov.uk accessibility statement and are continually reviewing our communications to ensure they are as accessible as possible,” their message concludes.

While they are not required by law, the assessments – carried out by public bodies – consider the impact of a decision or policy on equality.

The paperwork can help an authority prove their compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty listed under the Equality Act.

The Cabinet Office document comes just days after the deaf activist behind the Where Is The Interpreter campaign, Lynn Stewart-Taylor, confirmed that a judicial review over the Government’s actions had been put on hold.

The planned legal challenge concerned the UK Government’s decision not to include an in-person BSL interpreter for their statements on the fight against coronavirus.

Lynn also announced that all 300 people who claimed for compensation from the Government over the inaccessible briefings will be contacted by legal firm Fry Law for more information.

Commenting on the Cabinet Office’s response, lawyer Chris Fry – who represents Lynn and the campaign – said: “We now know that the Government completely failed to consider making the briefings accessible, in breach of their legal obligations.

“It’s a shame that the Government lawyers haven’t admitted that there was no Equality Impact Assessment in the 300 cases; instead claiming that it would be disproportionate to have to disclose it to us.

“Surely it’s time to apologise and put this right. Will the daily press briefings in October be fit for purpose?”

The remarks follow the Conservatives’ announcement that they have begun the search for a spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s White House style briefings, due to take place later in the year.

While the judicial review has been paused, Lynn said the legal challenge may be filed again should these new briefings not be accessible in BSL.

“I’m not giving up, it’s on hold – that’s the plan going forward,” she told viewers in a Facebook livestream on Tuesday.

The Limping Chicken has asked Number 10 if a British Sign Language interpreter will be provided for the new briefings from October, but is yet to receive an official response.

Photo: GOV.UK

By Liam O’Dell. Liam is a mildly deaf freelance journalist and campaigner from Bedfordshire. He wears bilateral hearing aids and can be found talking about disability, theatre, politics and more on Twitter and on his website.