Creating a fairer Britain
This page contains the latest updates on the equality duty. For further information on the development of the equality duty please visit the the Home Office website.
23 April 2012
We were intending to produce a statutory code of practice on the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) for England, but unfortunately, we are no longer able to proceed with this plan. The Government feels that further statutory guidance may place too much of a burden on public bodies. Although the Commission has powers to issue codes, it cannot do so without the approval of the Secretary of State, as we are reliant upon government to lay codes before parliament, in order for them to be statutory. For more information, see our advice on codes of practice
27 January 2012
We have now publshed the last two remaining revised guidance documents The essential guide to the public sector equality duty and Meeting the equality duty in policy and decision-making.
27 January 2012
We have issued an update about a monitoring project we will be undertaking on the specific duty to publish equality information. From February 2012, the Commission will be assessing the information published by relevant public authorities in England (and non devolved public authorities in Scotland and Wales). > Read the monitoring information update
3 January 2012
We have now uploaded both Welsh and English language versions of the Public Sector Eqaulity Duty guidance for Wales. The guides provide an overview of the equality duty, including the general equality duty, the specific duties and who they apply to. They cover what public authorities should do to meet the duty. This includes steps that are legally required, as well as recommended actions. > View the guidance for Wales.
15 December 2011
The Commission has published revised versions of Equality information and the equality duty, Equality objectives and the equality duty and Engagement and the equality duty . These editions reflect the final specific duty regulations and they replace the first edition of the guide published in January 2011. The guides are for public authorities in England and for non-devolved public authorities in Scotland and Wales. Further revised guides on the equality duty will be available shortly. View all the guidance.
26 October 2011
Does the public sector equality duty apply to migrants, refugees and asylum seekers? Find out the answer on our FAQ page.
10 September 2011
The specific duties regulations for England (and non devolved bodies in Scotland and Wales) have today come into force. They are intended to help public authorities improve their performance on the general equality duty. Find The Equality Act 2010 (Specific Duties) Regulations 2011 on the Home Office website: http://www.legislation.gov.uk.
6 July 2011
Our new report examines how Strategic Health Authorities and Primary Care Trusts in England have been implementing the equality duties. View the report.
29 June 2011
We look at how schools in England and Wales have been implementing the equality duties, and find that they are helping to meet the needs of pupils, including improved access to facilities, better participation in sports, raising aspirations and improving skills. View the report.
27 June 2011
Draft specific duties regulations for England (and non devolved bodies in Scotland and Wales) have now been laid before Parliament. These are referred to as ‘draft’ regulations until they come into force. The Government Equalities Office advises that subject to Parliamentary approval, they will come into force before the summer recess.
7 June 2011
Our essential guide to the public sector equality duty: An overview for listed public authorities in Wales is now available. View the new guidance.
25 May 2011
The Equality and Diversity Forum has commissioned research to explore what lessons can be learnt from the implementation of the previous Race Equality Duty and to consider how public authorities can most effectively use the new public sector Equality Duty to address the needs of refugee and migrant communities. Read the report: Who's Still Missing? Refugees, migrants and the equality agenda
21 April 2011
Read our response to the Government Equalities Office (GEO) policy review paper Equality Act 2010: The public sector Equality Duty: reducing bureaucracy regarding the specific duties of the Public Sector Equality Duty.
5 April 2011
The public sector equality duty comes into force today in England, Scotland and Wales. The new duty replaces the previous race, disability and gender equality duties. The public sector equality duty section of our site contains all the information public authorities need to make sure they are meeting the new duty.
29 March 2011
The Welsh Assembly Government has now passed the Specific Equality Duties for Wales and the regulations have been laid. The specific duties will come into force on 6 April 2011. For further information is available on the Welsh Assembly Government website (PDF).
Along with a range of other organisations, the Commission has submitted a formal response to the consultation.
The Commission is planning to publish non-statutory guidance and a statutory Code of Practice for Wales later in 2011.
17 March 2011
The government's draft regulations on the specific duties for England (and non-devolved bodies in Scotland and Wales) have been revised.
For further information about the new draft specific duties go to the Home Office website.
The Commission will publish a statutory code of practice on the equality duty for England (and non devolved public bodies in Scotland and Wales) later in 2011.
8 March 2011
The Scottish Government is currently reconsidering its proposals for specific duties in Scotland, so it is not yet clear when these will come into force. Read Scotland's interim advice on the Equality Act Scottish Specific Duties for more information.
Read our formal response to the Government Equalities Office's consultation: Equality Act 2010: The public sector equality duty - Promoting equality through transparency.