Equality Act to be implemented from October
Provisions to make it easier for business to comply with discrimination law will be introduced from October, the Government Equalities Office (GEO) has confirmed.
The Equality Act brings together nine separate pieces of legislation into one single Act simplifying the law and reducing the burden on business by making it easier for firms to comply with discrimination law.
The first wave of implementation of the Equality Act will go ahead to the planned October timetable. This will pave the way for the implementation of landmark provisions to protect disabled people from discrimination and tackle the gender pay gap.
Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities Theresa May said: “By making the law easier to understand, the Equality Act will help business treat staff fairly and meet the needs of a diverse customer base. The law will be easier to understand and better able to protect people from discrimination.
“Implementing the Equality Act to the planned timetable makes clear our commitment to equality. A successful economy needs the full participation of all its citizens and we are committed to implementing the Act in the best way for business.”
The Equality and Human Rights Commission welcomed the government’s plans for implementing The Equality Act. Trevor Phillips, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission said: “The Equality Act will make Britain a fairer country for all. The Commission welcomes the speed at which the coalition has moved to put it into effect and looks forward to working with the government to implementing the Act.”
Mr. Phillips said the Commission also looks “forward to ministerial decisions on the implementation of the other provisions in the Act, such as the socio-economic duty, the importance of which has been given new impetus in the light of the coalition’s position that it will conduct its deficit reduction with fairness.”
