Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 came into force on 1 October 2010. The Act simplifies equalities legislation.

It aims to protect people from direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation in services and public functions, premises, work, education, associations and transport.

It also provides new protection for people like carers.

For a full list of the provisions that came into force from 1 October 2010 visit the Government Equalities Office website.

Public sector equality duty: what does this mean for Lambeth Council?

 The Equality Act places a new proactive legal duty on the public sector. For Lambeth Council this means that we must proactively take into account the need to eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other prohibited conduct.

It also asks us to advance equality of opportunity, foster good relationships by tackling prejudice and promoting understanding of all equality groups and to take into account the needs of disabled people. The public sector duty will come into force in April 2011.

The public sector equality duty applies to the following protected characteristics:

• age
• disability
• gender re-assignment
• pregnancy and maternity
• race
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation.

Equality Act measures: are there other protected characteristics and when will they come into force?

The Government is still considering the following elements of the Equality Act and when they will be brought into force:

• the socio-economic duty on public authorities
• dual discrimination
• gender pay gap information
• provisions relating to auxiliary aids in schools
• positive action in recruitment and promotion
• prohibition on age discrimination in services and public functions
• civil partnerships on religious premises.

Further information

For further informaiton read the Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know?