Review of Free School Meals and Uniform Grant Eligibility Criteria
The Department of Education has launched a consultation on the options considered as part of the review of the eligibility criteria for free school meals and uniform grants. This consultation looks at a number of options and has modelled the potential impact of each option in terms of the number of extra pupils that could benefit and the associated additional costs.
The deadline for comments is Friday 14th February 2025 and the consultation is available on the Department of Education website here:
Consultation launched on Gender Pay Gap Information Regulations
A consultation on proposed changes relating to the requirements for employers to publish information on the pay of male and female employees has been launched by the Department for Communities. These requirements show whether there are differences in the pay of male and female employees, the Gender Pay Gap, and the consultation will look at employers within the public, private and voluntary sector and consult on requirements for employers with 250 employees and above.
The deadline for comments is Friday 14th February 2025 and the consultation is available on the Department for Communities website here:
https://www.communities-ni.gov.uk/consultations/consultation-gender-pay-gap-information-regulations
Consultation on funding for the Employment Support Scheme
The Department for Communities has launched a consultation on funding for the Employment Support Scheme. It is seeking views on the potential equality implications arising from a proposal to cease funding for the Employment Support Scheme. This is being considered in response to the constrained financial position the Department is facing as a result of the recent budget allocation.
The deadline for comments is Monday 17th February 2025 and the consultation is available on the Department for Communities website here:
