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Department for Work and Pensions: Ethnic Groups

Asked by Jas AthwalLabourDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 4 February 2026UIN 108950

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the consultation, Government Statistical Service Harmonisation: Assessing user needs for additional response options for the new ethnicity harmonisation standard, published on 28 October 2025, whether his Department plans to make a submission.

Answered by Andrew Western

The Department notes the plan by the Office for National Statistics for an updated harmonised standard, which will be applied to our departmental statistics where applicable in due course.

This is an open consultation due to close on 4 February 2026, and the Department provided a response on 28 January 2026.

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