Sian Berry calls on councils to remove name requirement for job applications and create gender neutral documents

Sian Berry of the Green Party Archant

The Green Party assembly member made the announcement on Tuesday

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Councils across London are being called upon to remove names from job applications and introduce gender neutral options on official forms, in a bid to cut down on discrimination.

Sian Berry, Green Party assembly member at the London Assembly believe the changes will improve privacy and data protection when filling out forms.

The Highgate councillor said: ““Disappointingly, I have found bad practice on many public sector websites, requiring gender details when asking people to fill in forms just to access services like parking or to leave comments on planning applications.

“People should not have to choose between male and female when giving their personal details to public bodies. And people should not be subject to discrimination when applying for a job because of their name.

“These tiny changes to the current processes would be a step in the right direction to be more inclusive to all of the residents councils represent.

“The Mayor has responded positively on these issues. I hope that London’s councils, if they are not already doing this, make these simple improvements to be more inclusive to all Londoners.”