Further Measurement Guidance

Overview

The measurement annex of the Equalities PSA makes reference to additional guidance which details the calculation of indicators reported in this PSA. This guidance note details:

1) thorough information on all the indicators used in this PSA, including which equalities groups are included in each indicator; what information will be reported in terms of both headline measures and supporting data; and which survey questions are used in order to calculate the indicators

 

2) the exact methodology used to calculate composite indicators, which are used for several of the measures included in this PSA

A composite indicator is one where a single indicator monitors the progress of several groups. It is the aggregation of data for more than one equalities group, and gives an indication of the overall change to inequality in the areas covered in this PSA. As detailed in section C, the composite methodology has been constructed to penalise against a reduction in inequality achieved by bringing those at the top down to the level of those at the bottom. A reduction in inequality achieved by ‘levelling down’ does not represent an improvement to society and therefore this penalty mitigates against any potential perverse incentives. The composite is used for the following indicators in this PSA:

• Choice, control and flexibility - improving quality of life and independent living. The gap in self-reported choice and control between disadvantaged groups and non-disadvantaged groups

• Taking part in public life – the gap in participation between disadvantaged groups and non-disadvantaged groups

• Reducing discrimination in employment – the gap in perceptions of discrimination between disadvantaged groups and non-disadvantaged groups

• Fair treatment by services - putting dignity and respect at the heart of delivery. The gap in perceptions of treatment between disadvantaged groups and non-disadvantaged groups

The strands included in each composite are set out under disadvantaged groups in the indicator fact sheets in the measurement annex of the PSA. For convenience these fact sheets are also included here (see section B below). Since the indicator on pay gaps, only considers a single equalities strand – gender – it does not require a composite methodology. Therefore the methodology outlined in section C does not cover the following indicator in this PSA:

• The gap in full-time hourly wage rates between men and women

It is a requirement of the performance management framework that each PSA indicator is captured by just a single measure. However, in order to better understand the progress made against tackling inequality in each of the key areas set out in this PSA, we will be reporting separately progress for each equalities group. Where sufficiently robust data exists we also hope to report on progress for groups which fall into more than one equalities strand (e.g. Pakistani and Bangladeshi women, or disabled BME individuals) to assess whether there are additional issues concerning multiple disadvantage.

This note has three sections:

A. A summary of what data will be reported for each indicator

B. The measurement annex as reported in the Equalities PSA, also detailing the precise survey questions used to measure

C. The mathematical methodology and a worked example for composite indicators