Equalities

Why Do We Ask Equality and Welsh Language Questions?

When we propose a change in or development of a policy or service we are required to complete an Integrated Impact Assessment (IIA). This is in order to show that we have taken the potential impact on those who share protected characteristics, those on a low income and on the Welsh-language into account. The Integrated Impact Assessment also requires us to describe what steps we will take to lessen any anticipated negative impacts and identify and enhance any potential positive impacts. 

We ask questions about protected characteristics, household income and Welsh-language in order to help us gather evidence on which to base our IIAs. Where we gather information via the Have Your Say section on our website, we will do so in accordance with our Privacy Notice

We have developed a standard set of questions, which we encourage all departments within the Council to use. This is to help ensure that we have a consistent approach across the organisation. 

Equality and Protected Characteristic - Standard Questions

The nine characteristics, protected under the Equality Act 2011 are:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender reassignment
• Marriage and civil partnership
• Pregnancy and maternity
• Race
• Religion and belief
• Sex
• Sexual orientation

We often also include a standard question on caring responsibilities, as this helps us to gain a broader understanding in relation to disability.

 

Age Are you? (please tick only one) Aged 16 or under Aged 17 - 24 Aged 25 - 64 Aged 65 - 74 Aged 75 or over Prefer not to say	Pregnancy and maternity/paternity Please indicate if any of the following apply to you (please tick all that apply) I am expecting a baby I have had a baby in the last six months I am currently on maternity leave I am currently on paternity leave None of these Prefer not to say
Sex How would you describe yourself? (please tick only one) Male Female Prefer another term Prefer not to say	Disability Do you consider yourself to be disabled? (please tick only one) Yes No Prefer not to say
Gender reassignment Is your present gender the same as the one assigned to you at birth? (please tick only one) Yes No Prefer not to say	Caring responsibilities Do you provide regular, unpaid, substantial care for a relative, friend or neighbour who is unable to manage at home without help because of sickness, age or disability? (please tick only one) Yes No Prefer not to say
Sexual orientation What is your sexual orientation (please tick only one) Heterosexual/straight Gay man Gay women/lesbian Bisexual Other Prefer not to say	Ethnic group What is your ethnic group? (please tick only one) White (Welsh, English, Scottish, Irish, British) Other White, including Gypsy or Irish Traveller Mixed / multiple ethnic groups Asian / Asian British Black / African / Caribbean / Black British Prefer not to say Any other ethnic group (please specify)
Marriage and civil partnership Are you? (please tick only one) Single Married In a Civil Partnership Divorced/separated Widowed Prefer not to say	Religion What is your religion? (please tick only one) No religion Christian (all denominations) Buddhist Hindu Jewish Muslim Sikh Prefer not to say Any other religion (please specify)
Household Income Approximately how much income comes into your household each year? (please tick only one) Under £15,000 £15,001 - £30,000 £30,001 - £45,000 Over £45,000 Prefer not to say	Welsh Language Are you able to speak more than a few words in Welsh? Yes No

Impacts on the Welsh Language - Formal Consultations 

In order for us to assess likely impacts on the Welsh language, when we undertake formal consultations, we will also ask: 

What effects do you feel the proposal(s) would have on

- opportunities for persons to use the Welsh language

- treating the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language

How could the proposal(s) be formulated or revised so as to have positive effects (or increased positive effects) on

- opportunities for persons to use the Welsh language

- treating the Welsh language no less favourably than the English language

For further information please contact:

Sarah Worby
Corporate Research & Policy Officer 
01437 775263
Sarah.worby@pembrokeshire.gov.uk