Consultation outcome

Standards for ethnicity data

From:: Race Disparity Unit
Published: 5 July 2022
Last updated: 17 April 2023 — See all updates

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Government response to the consultation on standards for ethnicity data

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Detail of outcome

There were 47 responses to the consultation. Out of the 47 respondents:

17 were from the public sector, including central and local government and non-departmental public bodies
10 were from charities
14 were from other organisations including private sector companies, research organisations and professional bodies
5 were from individuals
1 was unknown

Respondents supported the standards as a way to improve ethnicity data. They also gave a large number of comments on ways to improve the standards.

There was a high level of support for the proposals on:

reviewing the use and impact of the standards
developing standards for other personal characteristics

In response, the Equality Hub:

has revised the draft standards in some areas
has published the revised version of the data standards for ethnicity
will monitor the use and impact of the standards, in collaboration with the Office for Statistics Regulation
will consider developing another set of standards in the future

Original consultation

Consultation description

Background

In March 2022, the government committed to the following:

To ensure more responsible and accurate reporting on race and ethnicity, the RDU [Race Disparity Unit] will by the end of 2022 consult on new standards for government departments and other public bodies on how to record, understand and communicate ethnicity data. (Inclusive Britain, action 6)

The standards are designed to ensure more responsible and accurate reporting of ethnicity data.

When they are published after this consultation, they will provide better evidence for targeting interventions and resources at the real point of need.

How to respond

Please read the draft standards for ethnicity data first.

We are asking for feedback on 3 areas:

Whether you think the draft standards cover the main aspects of data quality.
What you think of our plan to monitor the impact and use of the standards in collaboration with the Office for Statistics Regulation.
Your views on whether we should develop similar standards about data for other personal characteristics.

Please respond online if you can.

You can also:

email: ethnicity@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
post your responses to:

Standards for ethnicity data consultation
Race Disparity Unit
10 Victoria Street
London
SW1H 0NB

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