Freedom of Information

Publication Scheme for Equality 2025

Introduction

Government and Non Departmental Public Bodies are required under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to set up and maintain a publication scheme. It is a guide to the information we routinely publish, or intend publishing as part of our normal business. The information covered is included in the classes of information below, where the information is available.

Equality 2025 is an Advisory Non Departmental Public Body, which was launched by the Minister for Disabled People in December 2006.

Equality 2025’s publication scheme has been developed in line with the Information Commissioner’s Office Model Publication Scheme.

Classes of Information

1. Who we are and what we do
2. What we spend and how we spend it
3. What our priorities are and how we are doing
4. How we make decisions
5. Our policies and procedures
6. Lists and registers
7. The services we offer

1.  Who we are and what we do

1. Equality 2025 is an Advisory Non-Departmental Public Body, comprising of 10 publicly appointed disabled people including a Chair, and a Deputy Chair. The group works across the Westminster Government to offer Ministers and senior government officials independent confidential strategic advice on issues that affect the lives of disabled people. This includes advising at the early stages of policy development, as well as in depth examinations of existing policy areas.
2. Information on Equality 2025’s Chair, Deputy Chair and members is available on our website at:
   http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/docs/abo/eq2025-m-1104.pdf
3. Equality 2025 is sponsored by, but not part of the Office of Disability Issues, within the Department for Work and Pensions. The group is ultimately responsible to the Minister for Disabled People.
4. The Secretariat to Equality 2025 is provided by the Office for Disability Issues.
5. Equality 2025 can be contacted via our Secretariat at:

Equality 2025 Secretariat
Office for Disability Issues
Ground Floor
Caxton House
6-12 Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA
E-mail: Eq2025.secretariat@dwp.gsi.gov.uk

2. What we spend and how we spend it

1. Information about Equality 2025 budget allocation and expenditure can be found in our Annual Reports which are published on the website at http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/equality-2025/equality-2025-reports-and-work-plans.php
2. Equality 2025 has no executive functions or staff. Members are publicly appointed office holders; who are paid fees and expenses for costs associated with carrying out their role as Equality 2025 members.
3. The Chair is paid £40k per annum for 2 days a week, whilst members are paid fees for up to three days a month at £193.00 per day, or £27.50 per hour. Expenses are paid in line with DWP guidance.

3. What our priorities are and how we are doing

1. Equality 2025 produces a work plan every year in line with government priorities. Copies of our work plans are available at:
   http://odi.dwp.gov.uk/equality-2025/equality-2025-reports-and-work-plans.php
2. We discuss progress on our work plan at regular meetings with the Minister for Disabled People.
3. The majority of our advice to Government is confidential, so cannot be made public, however we plan to publish copies of our public consultation responses. Our Annual Reports contain information on the group’s achievements. Our Annual Reports can be found under ‘Equality 2025 Annual Reports’ at the above link.

4. How we make decisions

1. The key areas of our Work Plan are determined taking into account Governments priorities.
2. Specific requests for advice from Ministers or senior officials across Government are considered on an individual basis. We consider with our Secretariat the detail of the request and timescale, to enable us to decide if all members of the group will contribute to an overall response, or if a small group will draft a response. All advice is cleared by the Chair.
3. Equality 2025 may also decide to nominate an individual member with specific expertise to attend a meeting, or join a committee to offer advice on behalf of the group. Where time allows the member will seek the views of other members in advance of this.

5. Our policies and procedures

1. Equality 2025 members’ Information pack contains the policies and procedures to be followed by members. A copy of the Information pack can be obtained by contacting our secretariat. (Contact information at paragraph 1.5 above.)

6. Lists and Registers

1. Our Secretariat maintains the following registers on our behalf:
• Register of Interest
• Asset Register
• Gift/Hospitality Register

7. The Services we offer

1. Equality 2025’s advice when issued to Ministers and senior government officials on new or existing policies is confidential so will not be published. However, we will routinely publish advice when this is no longer confidential on our website. (i.e. After the policy has been developed, or review is complete.)
2. Our responses to non-confidential consultation exercises will be added to our website as we submit them.

Page last reviewed: 30 September 2011