Mick Hartley

Despite the collapse of its image and the debunking of its ideology, the money keeps coming in.

Quangos kept their memberships for a Stonewall diversity scheme despite a government diktat to cut ties with the charity, it has been revealed.

At least eight arms-length bodies — which have the oversight of government departments — paid thousands of pounds to the charity last financial year, as Stonewall reported that its income from government-backed grants had been boosted above half a million pounds.

The memberships have raised concerns among government ministers including Kemi Badenoch, the business secretary and women and equalities minister, over the influence Stonewall is having on policy and its stance on transgender issues.

The charity’s annual accounts show that Stonewall received £572,868 in grants from government sources in 2022-23, up from £426,390 the year before. In total the charity brought in £7 million in 2022-23.

The majority of its income — £3.9 million — came from its Diversity Champions Programme, a scheme in which public bodies and private companies pay subscription fees to the charity in return for support and advice on diversity, as well as from its work with schools, local authorities, and providing speakers for events.

Badenoch previously told government departments to withdraw from the scheme and said last year: “Stonewall do not decide the law of this country.”…

Freedom of information requests submitted by The Times showed that last year Arts Council England, the Pensions Regulator, the Care Quality Commission, Historic England, Sport England and the Tate paid £3,000 each for membership of the scheme….

A government source said: “No body funded by taxpayers should be paying external organisations to do their diversity and inclusion work. It is a gross waste of money and Stonewall push several ideologies that are not recognised by the government. However it’s not in the least bit surprising that Labour-run Wales and SNP-run Scotland continue to funnel cash to this discredited organisation.”

The Welsh government gave the charity £100,000 in 2022-23. A Welsh government spokesman said: “We work with a range of partners to challenge discrimination and to create a society where LGBTQ+ people feel safe to live openly and freely as themselves.”…

The Scottish government gave Stonewall £101,613, and NHS Scotland gave £38,878.