TMP Online

Delays in producing a review of existing discrimination law and a Single Equality Bill have raised fears that equality issues have slipped down the Government’s agenda, says the Communities and Local Government Committee in a report out today.

Equalities legislation has grown piecemeal over the past four decades and a Single Equality Act to unify it must not be further delayed, it concludes. It wants to see the Government press ahead with the act to simplify the existing equalities law and make it more effective.

The Committee’s report on Equality, published today, welcomes the establishment of a single Commission to cover all aspects of equality saying it is a positive move in the battle against unfair discrimination and inequalities.

But it fears that indecision and delays have accompanied the Government’s management of establishment of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) and threaten to hamper its effectiveness, the Committee concludes.

Deep and entrenched inequalities and unfair discrimination persist in the UK. The Committee notes that at the current rate of progress, it may take decades for some groups of people to achieve parity in employment and education while for others―such as Pakistani and Bangladeshi women or disabled people―on current trends parity will never be achieved.

Dr Phyllis Starkey MP, Chair of the cross-party select committee, said today “there are not just moral imperatives in reducing inequality and discrimination but economic and social benefits to be gained too.”

The MPs also welcome the Government’s consultation on the inclusion of measures within the act to prohibit age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services. However it warns that if such legislation is introduced it is important that appropriate safeguards are in place to avoid criminalising positive age related benefits, such as the provision of discounted bus passes for older people.

Dr Starkey added “We call on the Government to do still more to tackle unfair discrimination and reduce inequalities, particularly those that are deep rooted and persistent in society. The Government should press ahead with a Single Equality Bill. It is necessary to reduce the complexity of existing equalities legislation and to increase the effectiveness of the law in supporting individuals and organisations in reducing discrimination.”

“I welcome the creation of the Commission on Equalities and Human Rights but it needs to be given the proper legislative support. The Government must press ahead with the Single Equalities Act without further delay if we are to eradicate unfair discrimination in our society.”