An application form issued by Birmingham and Solihull Connexions Service declares:

'Birmingham & Solihull Connexions Services welcomes your application and will give it equal consideration, irrespective of race, sex, disability, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sexuality, marital status, responsibility for dependents, age (up to 65), religion, trade union activity or offending background. Our aim is to ensure that all aspects of our work reflect out commitment to equality of opportunity irrespective of any legislative obligation.'

Then it invites applicants not only to tick the box for gender, ethnic origin or disability, but to define their sexuality and religion. But if it really does intend to give every application ‘equal consideration, irrespective of race, sex, disability, colour, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sexuality, marital status, responsibility for dependents, age (up to 65), religion, trade union activity or offending background’, why is it asking these questions? Could it possibly be that if one is a white, Christian, heterosexual, married, able-bodied person without a criminal record, a connexion will not be made?