16 September 2008
The first in a series of informative regional events about the new Equality Bill will be held tomorrow in Newcastle to update key stakeholders from around the region.
Deputy Minister for Women and Equality Barbara Follett will explain the Government's proposals and answer questions.
The new measures, announced in June by Harriet Harman, will streamline and strengthen discrimination legislation, including banning age discrimination in goods and services, to make Britain a fairer place. They will target the areas of society in which unfairness and discrimination persist and will also introduce a new Equality Duty on public bodies which will cover gender reassignment, sexual orientation, age and religion or belief, as well as disability, gender and race. It will also introduce measures to increase transparency about important inequalities such as the gender pay gap.
Despite considerable progress, inequality and discrimination still exist in our society: Women are paid on average 12.6% less per hour than men; disabled people are two and a half times more likely to be out of work, and people from ethnic minorities a fifth less likely to find work; and two thirds of over-fifties feel that they are turned down for a job because they are too old.
Barbara Follett said:
"The new Equality Bill is an important milestone towards achieving a fair and equal society. We have made progress on tackling unfairness but we must do more.
"It is important that our regional stakeholders are kept informed and up to date with the Government's plans for the new Equality Bill - it is vital that people have access to the best information about how the forthcoming changes will make their communities fairer."
Stakeholders attending include local councillors from the north east region, equality and diversity organisations, Age Concern, fire and rescue services, university representatives and care services.
Further regional events will be held on 6 November in Peterborough, 20 November in Cardiff and 2 December in Edinburgh.
The Bill is expected to be introduced in the next Parliamentary session, which starts in December. 'Framework for a Fairer Future - The Equality Bill' can be downloaded at http://www.equalities.gov.uk
The Equality Bill will make it easier for people and businesses to know their rights and their obligations. It will be written in plain English and will replace nine major pieces of legislation and around 100 other measures, spanning over forty years.
Notes
* The Equality Bill will replace the Equal Pay Act 1970, the Sex Discrimination Act 1975, the Race Relations Act 1976, the Disability Discrimination Act 1995, much of the Equality Act 2006, the Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003, the Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003, the Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006, and the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007 (all as subsequently amended), plus other ancillary pieces of legislation.
* The Government Equalities Office is responsible for the Government's overall strategy, legislation and priorities on equality issues. It was established in July 2007. The Office also has direct responsibility for policy on gender equality, sexual orientation, and for integrating work on race and religion or belief into the overall equality framework. http://www.equalities.gov.uk
* Age discrimination is already banned in the workplace.
Client ref Cabinet Office on behalf of Government Equalities Office
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