DCLG publishes details of new single equalities scheme

The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has published a consultation paper on the proposed single equality scheme set to be introduced by the Equality Bill.

The Equality Bill will impose a single equality duty on public bodies which covers race, gender, and disability and extends to sexual orientation, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity and gender reassignment. The Bill also includes a duty on central government, local government and their key partners to address socio-economic inequalities.

Significant changes have been made to the Bill since its publication in April 2009, including a new clause on multiple discrimination and a new section to discourage pre-employment enquiries on health. There have also been amendments to the clause on 'Discrimination arising from disability,'  which aims to reverse the House of Lords decision in the Malcolm case (London Borough of Lewisham v Malcolm. [2008] UKHL 43), which made discrimination due to disability harder for complainants to prove.

The DCLG said it is seeking to simplify the existing system by developing its first Single Equalities Scheme in order to cover all the areas of equality that fall within scope of the Equality Bill, simplify the process and make it transparent and easier to deliver.

“We cannot do this by working on our own,” the DCLG said. “We need to draw on the expertise and knowledge of our stakeholders across the equality strands.”

The DCLG is accepting submissions until 28 February 2010. Royal Assent for the Bill is expected in Spring 2010, subject to any changes following the 2010 election.

For more information please visit:
http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/corporate/singleequalityschemeconsultation