The Equality Act received Royal Assent on 8 April and is due to commence in October 2010 and is designed to simplify, streamline and strengthen the law, giving individuals greater protection from unfair discrimination and  make it easier for employers and companies to understand their responsibilities. It will also set a new standard for those who provide public services to treat everyone with dignity and respect.

Non-statutory guidance consultation

The Commission consulted on draft non-statutory guidance in the areas of employment, services, public functions and associations, and education. We produced two versions of each set of guidance, one aimed at people relying on the law to protect their rights and the other at those who have responsibilities under the law. The purpose of the consultation was to ensure that people are able to understand and use this new law. The consultation closed on 16 April 2010.

We are now reviewing all the responses submitted through our online consultation and from consultation events across the country and will be revising the non statutory guidance in light of the comments we’ve received in July.  We’d like to thank all those organisations and individuals who have contributed to the consultation process. 

If you have queries on the non-statutory guidance consultation please email NSGConsultation@equalityhumanrights.com

Consultation on the draft Codes of Practice

On 12 January 2010 we opened the consultation on the draft Codes of Practice for employment, equal pay and services, public functions and associations. This consultation was to make sure that the Codes clearly explain the new law and interpret it correctly. The consultation closed on 2 April 2010; however you can still view the consultation documents.

If you have queries on the Codes of Practice consultation please email COPConsult@equalityhumanrights.com

This section contains information about the Commission's work to support the creation of The Equality Act 2010 (previously referred to as the Equality Bill). We want to see a modern, single legal framework, providing clearer, streamlined law that is more effective at tackling disadvantage and discrimination.

Latest updates

Equality Act 2010 guidance documents published

We have published four sets of guidance to help employers, workers, service providers and service users understand the new Equality Act coming into force From October 2010. Guidance for education providers and students will follow in September.

View the new guidance

In memory of Clare Cozens

Clare Cozens, the Commission’s Equality Act Non-Statutory Guidance Manager, tragically died on 27 July 2010. The guidance that we are publishing today is the result of all Clare’s hard work and dedication over the past 12 months.

Read our tribute to Clare Cozens

Draft Code of Practice on Equal Pay

Earier this year we ran a series of Codes of Practice consultations. The draft Code of Practice on Equal Pay has now been approved by the Secretary of State for the Home Office and laid before Parliament.

View the draft Code of Practice on equal pay 

Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know?

The Government Equalities Office have produced a series of summary guides Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know?, setting out clearly what the new laws will mean for business, the public sector, the voluntary sector and the public, helping people understand their new responsibilities and rights. The Commission will be producing much more comprehensive guidance documents in August 2010.

View the summary guide on the Government Equalities Office website.

Consultation on Guidance and Codes of Practice 

The Commission has been in discussion with the Government Equalities Office about producing both statutory and non statutory guidance, some of which will be published prior to the Act's implementation, to help everyone understand the new Act and how equalities legislation will change.

Between January and April 2010 we consulted on draft non-statutory guidance in the areas of employment, services, public functions and associations, and education. We produced two versions of each set of guidance, one aimed at people relying on the law to protect their rights and the other at those who have responsibilities under the law. The purpose of the consultation was to ensure the guidance would be as useful and informative as possible. The consultation closed on 16 April.

We are currently reviewing all the responses submitted through the consultation period and will be revising the non statutory guidance in light of the comments we’ve received in July 2010. 

Although the consultation is closed you can still access our consultation portal to review your responses.

We also consulted separately about the draft Codes of Practice. This consultation is also closed.

Find out more: Equality Bill consultations

Our Briefing Papers

In the Summary of our Response we outline the Commission's response to the bill, in particular the provisions for a socio-economic duty, outlawing age discrimination, introducing a single public sector duty, tackling the gender pay gap, promoting equality through procurement, clarifying aspects of discrimination law and positive action.

We have also produced several briefings in the course of the Bill’s Parliamentary passage. Our most recent briefings are for January's debate in the Lords Committee.

Further details of the Equality Act

• View the timeline for the different parts of the Equality Bill
• The Government Equalities Office website has full details of the Equality Bill, explanatory notes, and impact assessments.
• Read the text of the Bill on the UK Parliament website
• Follow the progress of this bill on the Office of the Leader of the House of Commons website