Inclusion and Diversity in the House of Lords

Our Commitment to Inclusion & Diversity 

In September 2021 we launched our ‘Action on Inclusion’ strategy (2021 – 2024). The aim of ‘Action on Inclusion’ is for inclusion to become a natural part of what we do every day. For all colleagues to be conscious of what inclusion is and feels like and to firmly embed inclusion into our culture. This strategy builds on our previous strategy and pushes us further than ever before. We want inclusion to become tangible and something that is within every decision, every policy, and every process. 

You can read ‘Focus on Inclusion: Two Years On’ (2021), which outlines what we achieved as part of our last strategy. 

Action on Inclusion focuses on four key workstreams: 

• People – Create a culture where everyone has the opportunity to excel. 
• Place – Ensure our physical and virtual spaces are inclusive and accessible for all colleagues, members and visitors. 
• Performance – Enable all colleagues, leaders and suppliers to perform at their best. 
• Profile – Share our story and building our reputation for excellence in I&D. 

Workplace Equality Networks 

• Parliament's Workplace Equality Networks 

The House of Lords and the House of Commons have established Workplace Equality Networks for groups to support staff, provide a safe space to discuss issues of representation at work and to support the initiatives outlined in each House's Inclusion and Diversity Plans. All of our networks are inclusive and anyone with a Parliamentary pass can join. 

• ParliAble supports disabled people in Parliament 
• ParliCare aims to raise awareness of and support for those with caring challenges across Parliament 
• ParliGender aims to achieve gender equality across Parliament 
• ParliREACH acts to increase awareness of race, ethnicity and cultural heritage issues in Parliament 
• ParliOUT supports LGBTIQ people in Parliament 
• ParliON raises awareness of issues around social mobility 

National Inclusion Standard 

The House of Lords is committed to being an inclusive employer. We have been accredited as having 'silver status' by Inclusive Employers, who ensure we are sharing ideas and best practice with other employers nationally and are a leader in this area. 

Who are Inclusive Employers? 

Established in May 2011, they are the UK's first and leading membership organisation for employers looking to build inclusive workplaces. They offer consultancy, training and thought leadership to help the House of Lords make inclusion an everyday reality. 

They work with a variety of organisations in the public, private and third sectors and provide bespoke initiatives to help build inclusive cultures. 

Purple Space 

The House of Lords works with Purple Space to ensure we are as accessible an organisation as possible. They work closely with ParliAble, our Workplace Equality Network, which focuses on supporting Parliament in being as inclusive as possible for both disabled members of staff and visitors to Parliament who may have a disability. 

Clerk of the Parliaments Simon Burton and Aaron Speer from ParliAble discuss the importance of inclusion and talking about disabilities.

Who are Purple Space? 

Purple Space is a networking and professional development hub for disabled employees. They provide the House of Lords with resources and host events for workplace disability networks from all sectors. 

Previous Inclusion & Diversity Activity 

Pay Gap Reports 

• House of Lords Gender & Ethnicity Pay Gap Report 2021
• House of Lords Gender & Ethnicity Pay Gap Report 2020 
• House of Lords Gender & Ethnicity Pay Gap Report 2019 
• House of Lords Gender Pay Gap Report 2018 
• House of Lords Gender Pay Gap Report 2017 

Inclusion & Diversity Strategies 

• 'Focus on Inclusion' Strategy and Action Plan (2019-2021) 
• 'Inclusion & Diversity Two Years On' (2019) 

Further information 

• Current vacancies at the House of Lords