What is the race equality duty? 

 

In 2001, the Race Relations Act was amended to give public authorities a new statutory duty to promote race equality. The aim is to help public authorities to provide fair and accessible services, and to improve equal opportunities in employment.

The legislation was necessary to ensure that we all receive the best from our public services. Previously many public bodies were failing to address the problems of racial discrimination and inequality; this was highlighted by the inquiry into the murder of Stephen Lawrence. The way in which public bodies carry out their functions can vary based on the size of the authority, its geographical location and local demography but all public bodies need to take account of race equality.

The legislation helps ensure public authorities become more accountable to the people they serve and allows everyone the opportunity to give their views about the services that affect them. That means it helps provide the kind of public functions and services all of us need, want and deserve as well as helping to further equality of opportunity and better race relations.

The duty to promote race equality is commonly referred to as the race equality duty. We use this as a generic term to refer to the general statutory duty under section 71(1) of the Race Relations Act 1976, as amended (the Act) and the various specific duties (including the employment duty) that were introduced by way of statutory instruments.

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Benefits of meeting the duty

There are many ways in which you, as a public authority, can reap valuable benefits from implementing the requirements of the race equality duty.

Some general examples are:

  • better targeted policies
  • representation of different groups at all levels
  • improvements in perceptions of services, and more satisfaction with services
  • greater confidence in services
  • filling gaps in services
  • better consultation and more participation by service users and members of the public
  • better targeted information about public services
  • better access to public services.

 In terms of policy and service delivery, you will be able to:

  • encourage policy makers to be more aware of issues concerning particular groups
  • contribute to more informed decision-making
  • make sure that policies are properly targeted
  • improve the organisation's ability to deliver suitable and accessible services, and to carry out functions so that they meet various needs
  • encourage greater openness in policy-making
  • increase confidence in public services, especially among ethnic minority communities.

Meeting the duty can also bring considerable advantages to public authorities in terms of their employment functions. It can help you to:

  • achieve a more representative workforce
  • attract able staff
  • avoid losing or undervaluing able staff
  • improve staff morale and productivity
  • improve staff management
  • identify and develop good practice
  • avoid claims of unlawful discrimination.


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The general duty

The general duty applies to all public authorities listed in Schedule 1A of the Act. It requires them:

  • to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination
  • to promote equality of opportunity between persons of different racial groups, and
  • to promote good relations between persons of different racial groups

Read more about the general duty.


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Specific duties

The specific duties were introduced to help public authorities to meet the general duty. It is obligatory for all public authorities listed in Schedule 1 of the Act to meet the specific duties.

There are different specific duties placed on schools and further and higher education institutions, and you should refer to the relevant pages for further information.

Please read more about the specific duties.


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