The reason is that we need the information to help us ensure that we are a fair regulator and to take action if it appears that our procedures have a discriminatory impact.

We also have statutory duties to promote equality in relation to race, disability and gender. The Equality Bill will extend our obligations across other strands including sexual orientation and age. In this, we are no different to many other statutory regulators who also seek such information: we have a legal and moral duty to foster equality and diversity.

More than 25,000 solicitors have already completed the questionnaire. Thank you to those who have already responded. I would encourage those who haven’t yet replied to do so via the form sent out individually or at www.diversitycensus.org.uk.

The data will remain confidential and be stored in line with data protection requirements. We will use aggregated data, anonymised, in any reports.

Antony Townsend, chief executive, Solicitors Regulation Authority