On 5th January 2026, the Bishop of Lincoln received the following written answers:
The Lord Bishop of Lincoln asked His Majesty’s Government:
- what guidance they have issued to the Regional Department for Education Directors about the implementation of the Equality Act 2010 in academies.
- what processes the Regional Department for Education Directors has in place to monitor the implementation of the Equality Act 2010 by academies.
- what guidance they have issued to the Regional Department for Education Directors about the implementation of the Equality Act 2010 in schools in the maintained system.
- what processes the Regional Department for Education Directors has in place to monitor the implementation of the Equality Act 2010 by schools in the maintained system.
Baroness Smith of Malvern (Lab, DfE): It is a school’s responsibility to ensure they meet the requirements in the Equality Act 2010, including complying with the Public Sector Equality Duty. The department provides guidance to help schools understand their duties under the Act. Enforcement of equality legislation is the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), which offers advice, supports legal cases, and can take regulatory action against organisations that breach the law. If someone believes a school has not complied with the Equality Act, they should first follow the school’s complaints procedure. They can also seek advice from the Equality Advisory and Support Service, which advises and assists people on issues relating to equality and human rights. If, after completing the school’s process, they feel their complaint was mishandled, they may complain to the department, which will review whether the school followed their complaints process correctly.
The Church of England in Parliament 
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