The Equality and Human Rights Commission today (1 April 2008) publishes its first single equality scheme.
The scheme lays out the practical steps the Commission will take to promote equality and human rights in everything it does. The document will be the starting point for its three-year scheme which will be developed during 2008/9. All public authorities have a duty to produce an equality scheme.
Because of the Commission’s unique remit, the scheme goes beyond the legal requirement to address gender, disability and race and also covers issues around age, sexual orientation, religion or belief and human rights. The Commission has a special position among public authorities as these duties are identical to its own remit. The Commission is also responsible for ensuring other public bodies meet the legal requirements of the equality duties.
Some of the main priorities for action in the Commission’s scheme include:
- Monitoring the effectiveness of our helpline services to ensure that they reach all groups and that people are satisfied with our service.
- Prioritising legal cases in new areas of equality such as sexual orientation in order to build case law
- Train staff on equality impact assessments, the positive duties and the implications of these for their work
- Make sure that contractors providing goods, facilities and services to meet the Commission’s procurement criteria for all equality areas
- Appoint an access specialist whose remit will include assessing and advising on both our infrastructure and how we work.
This first scheme emerged out of wide consultation and involvement with staff, including the Disabled Staff Group, stakeholders and individuals, 30 per cent of whom were from disability organisations.
Nicola Brewer, the Commission’s chief executive, said: “Like all public bodies in Britain, the Commission is subject to legislation to promote disability, gender and race equality, but we are going beyond that to cover our full remit. It is about our employment practices, how we provide or buy services, how we work in partnership with others and how we include equality in everything we do. I am delighted that we have produced this scheme and look forward to working on our three year scheme to take the Commission forward.”
The equality scheme is available on the Commission’s website in English, Welsh and accessible formats at: www.equalityhumanrights.com/equalityscheme.
Feedback is welcome.
Ends
For more information contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission Media Office on 020 3117 0255, out of hours 07767 272818.
Notes to Editors
The Commission will now be working with stakeholders to implement action points from this scheme and to begin to develop its three-year scheme.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourage compliance with the Human Rights Act. It gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.