Public Sector Equality Duty in Wales

Advice and Guidance

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  • Public sector

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      Wales

Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED) reporting obligations

Annual reports for 2021 to 2022 must be published by 31 March 2023

Comprehensive guidance on what should be included in your SEPs, equality objectives and annual reports is on our Wales PSED guidance page.

The Commission is the regulator of the PSED and our approach is to work with public authorities to encourage, guide, monitor and regulate activity on the public sector equality duty.

The PSED is being used to influence and scrutinise the way public bodies behave.

Third sector organisations have used the PSED to raise the profile of specific issues and to highlight where budget reductions could have a disproportionate impact.

The PSED is being used to increase transparency and accountability. In particular the publication of EIAs has assisted with holding public authorities to account for their decisions.

In October 2015 Kate Bennett the National Director for Wales wrote to chief executives across the public sector in Wales to reflect on the first four years of the PSED, and improvements that need to be made as we move into the next four years.

The Welsh Government can enhance its leadership role to ensure the PSED delivers stronger outcomes.

Welsh Ministers have a specific duty to publish a report on how devolved public authorities in Wales are meeting their general duty. This must set out an overview of the progress made by public authorities and proposals to co-ordinate action in Wales. These are demanding objectives that go significantly beyond describing inputs and positive examples.

Devolving the PSED to Wales would enable the distinctive approach to equality and human rights to be safeguarded and flourish.

This overview is based on the intelligence gathered from our research and monitoring.

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Last updated: 22 Feb 2023

Further information

If you think you might have been treated unfairly and want further advice, you can contact the Equality Advisory and Support Service.

Phone: 0808 800 0082
Textphone: 0808 800 0084

You can email using the contact form on the EASS website.

Also available through the website are BSL interpretation, web chat services and a contact us form.

Post:
FREEPOST
EASS HELPLINE
FPN6521

Opening hours:

9am to 7pm Monday to Friday
10am to 2pm Saturday
closed on Sundays and Bank Holidays

Alternatively, you can visit our advice and guidance page.