Statement of Service
Equality Bill: policy proposals for specific duties
The Government Equalities Office has published a consultation document setting out policy proposals for the specific public sector equality duties.
Provisions for a new single Equality Duty are contained within the Equality Bill. This brings together the existing race, disability and gender duties and also covers sexual orientation, age, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity and gender reassignment. The general Equality Duty - which is set out in the Bill itself - will require public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct prohibited under the Bill, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations across all these protected characteristics.
The specific duties, which will be set out in secondary legislation following Royal Assent, will be designed to help public bodies to meet their obligations under the general duty. The consultation covers proposals on development and implementation of these duties.
The closing date for comments is 30 September 2009.
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July 28, 2009
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