The Equality Act Everyone included?

Brenda WestonPolicy and Research Officer

Equality South West

What does the Equality Act do?

“Harmonises discrimination law, and strengthens the law to support progress on equality".

streamlines and combines previous legislation to make things easier for individuals, businesses, charities, service providers and employersProvides new measures to fight discrimination Extends previous protections to cover 7 equality ‘strands’ plus marriage and civil partnerships, pregnant women and new mothers.

Who is covered by the Act?

Protects against discrimination, bullying, harassment and victimisation on grounds of ...

Age (over 18)Disability (including sensory and learning)Gender reassignment (transgender)Marriage and civil partnershipPregnancy and maternityRaceReligion or beliefSexSexual orientation (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual)

Headline provisionsPublic Sector Equality Duty (PSED) and specific duties applying to parish and town councils as well as all other public bodies

Public procurement to ‘lever in’ E&D

Gender pay gap: transparency and voluntary pay reporting

Age discrimination – goods, facilities and services

Protections for carers

Positive action e.g. in recruitment of staff/volunteers etc (voluntary)

Stronger Employment Tribunal powers

Protection against discrimination for breastfeeding mothers

Bans discrimination in private clubs

Stronger protections for disabled people

The Public Sector Equality Duty

In the performance of all public functions public bodies (and those delivering services on their behalf) must pay due regard to the need to

Eliminate discrimination – 9 protected characteristicsAdvance equality of opportunity, andFoster good relations…

... in the design and delivery of public services

Equality impact analysis on service development, delivery, review, changes...Grants: Equality Act compliance should be part of the conditions for funding

Public procurement

£80 billion public funds spent on buying-in services (probably increasing with ‘Big Society’ agenda)

Public bodies expected to fulfil Equality Duty in procuring goods and services

All organisations bidding for public contracts need to ensure E&D practice meets public sector duty

Equality South West - Equality Standard

Inclusion in the countryside?LGB&T survey: where respondents live

Type of area % contributors No. contributorsCity 39% 110Large town 16% 46Small town 22% 62Village/rural area 23% 64

The impact of discrimination and isolation

“Social exclusion involves not only social but also economic and psychological isolation... The best way to make a start on helping them live healthier lives is to ...provide support to enable them to participate in society...”

(Our Healthier Nation: A contract for health. HMSO1998)

Everyone included?“(there needs to be) greater public awareness and acceptability in the more rural parts of the SW...” “I've found that it is people in the small towns and villages that have the more conservative views.” “I think being lgbt does affect opportunities to take part in local councils or local voluntary organisations etc. especially in small local communities.” “Becoming disabled ... made me realise that I could not hide from anyone who wanted to discriminate on grounds of disability. If you live here as I do in a village you are quite isolated from your lgbt "family" and in my case my disabled "family".

Everyone included?“I thought (the note) might be the next door neighbour inviting me for coffee. It said ‘we don’t want n****rs (here)’. So that was my introduction to XXXX village.” (Black lawyer)“It seems very problematic for me to get my voice heard, you know? … to get involved with the local council or the parish, they really don’t see me ...” (Filipino nurse)“When I’m walking down the lane or something and I meet one of the farmers, they don’t expect me to be intelligent or articulate, because ... I’m an ‘exotic species’ of woman … feels like a battle – really”. (Black training consultant)“… when I came here (from London) I found I don’t feel safe and for me it’s part of being a Black woman and standing out … it’s such a small village... when you’re ‘the only Black person in the village’ you do feel unsafe.” (Voluntary Sector worker)

Including everyone: things you can do

Check that you have an up to date equality policy and actionsMake your inclusion visible – postersInvite people to tell you how you can improve on equalities and inclusivenessCo-opting expertise - women, young people, disabled people, LGB&T and BME people to advise your committee/parish council etc.

Useful resources fromRO-LI project resources http://developbanes.ning.com/page/equality-impact-assessment Equality South West www.equalitysouthwest.org.uk Government Equalities Office:

For questions about the Equality Act and how it affects you e-mail: enquiries@geo.gsi.gov.ukGovernment Equalities Office website http://www.equalities.gov.uk/equality_act_2010.aspx

EHRC Non-statutory guidance and Statutory Codes of Practice – Jan 2011, and

EHRC Equality Act Toolkit: www.equalityhumanrights.com/equalityact/