The Public Sector
Public bodies, such as local councils and hospitals, provide a range of services to a large number of people. The Equality Act contains particular rules which require public bodies to think about how their policies and services deliver equal treatment and equal opportunities for everybody.
The Act replaces three different equality duties in previous law with a single Equality Duty on public bodies. This requires public bodies to think about how different people will be affected by the decisions they make and the services they deliver so that they are appropriate and accessible to all and meet different people’s needs.
The Act also contains a new socio economic duty requiring some public bodies to think about how their activities affect the most disadvantaged people, but the Government has announced that it does not intend to implement this measure.
Tell us what you think should happen to these measures and why, being specific where possible
- Should we scrap them altogether?
- Could their purpose be achieved in a non-regulatory way (eg through a voluntary code?) How?
- Could they be reformed, simplified or merged? How?
- Can we reduce their bureaucracy through better implementation? How?
- Can we make their enforcement less burdensome? How?
- Should they be left as they are?
Deborah Carson said on April 30, 2012 at 9:08 am
this legislation shouldnt be changed, if anything it should be strengthened, it helps to protect vulnerable individuals and communities, it isnt burdensome, its vitial to good quality public services!
Jillian Copeland said on February 22, 2012 at 12:13 am
Its pretty obvious why the Government wont be implementing the socio economic measure! They will no doubt find themselves abusing this part of the act very soon , when they are throwing numerous disadvantaged people out of their homes!! This part should be kept, and should be implemented. What is the point of keeping this Act if they do not intend on using it?!?