1. With regard to the Public Sector Equality Duty, does your decision-making regarding the provision of food take into account the fact that veganism is a protected characteristic for the purpose of the Equality Act 2010?
Yes; Consideration of our duties under the Equality Act is embedded within our decision making process.

2. How many vegan hot and cold meal options do you offer?
We do not provide any hot or cold meals.

3. In your own local authority canteen every day (if you have one)? 0, 1, 2, 3 or more. Please also express this as a proportion of the overall number of options offered. 
Not applicable.

4. In external events catering (if applicable)? Eg: 0, 1, 2, 3 or more. Please also express this as a proportion of the overall number of options offered.  
We do not hold this information.

5. Is a requirement for providing vegan hot and cold meal options included within the catering procurement contracts you issue for other catering provision for which you are responsible including schools, leisure centres, care homes, libraries, and any other public buildings?
The answer provided only applies to school sites using the School Meals and Kitchens traded service:
All menus are required to include a vegetarian option each day.
Menus do include vegan options and where there is not a specific vegan dish, jacket potatoes and salad are always available.
Menus supplied to the schools and parents/guardians clearly show which dishes are vegan.

6. Has your organisation taken any action to reduce meat and dairy consumption in order to meet environmental goals?
a) If yes, please detail what actions have been taken, e.g. 100% or 50% plant-based food options offered.
We have raised awareness of a vegan diet and its positive implications on climate change in the January issue of our climate emergency newsletter, in occasion of Veganuary 2023. Our newsletter is circulated to over 6000 subscribers. We plan for more articles on this topic to be published in future, as part of our engagement and behaviour change plans.

b) If no, do you have ambitions to take action in this area, eg through setting meat reduction targets? If yes please detail what ambitions you have set out.
We are investigating options, including looking into the work of the Plant-based treaty organisation.