Our plan for
2019-22
Our goals and aims for the next three years.
Our role and purpose
The Equality and Human Rights Commission exists to protect and promote equality and human rights in Britain.
We stand up for freedom, compassion and justice in changing times. Our work is driven by a simple belief, if everyone gets a fair chance in life, we all thrive.
Core aim
Upholding the system of equality and human rights protections.
We will ensure strong equality and human rights laws protect people, seek to close gaps in the data showing what is happening in practice and use our unique powers to uphold the system of equality and human rights protections.
Our legal powers
We will increase our litigation and enforcement work to:
- Send a clear message about the need to comply with equality and human rights law by challenging flagrant breaches.
- Tackle the systemic barriers people face through legal challenges to widespread failures to comply with equality and human rights law.
- Defend the rights of people in the most vulnerable positions experiencing serious breaches of their fundamental rights.
The world we live in
As we face a future of ever faster and deeper change, human rights and equality laws are more important than ever. They are principles with deep roots, built on values we can all recognise – like open-mindedness, respect for human dignity and being fair and decent to one another.
Our Strategic Goals and Priority Aims
Goal 1
To ensure that people’s life chances aren’t held back by barriers in their way
‘Time’s up on silence, on waiting and on tolerating discrimination, harassment and abuse.’
TIME'S UP ©
People in Britain have equal access to the labour market and are treated fairly at work
Disabled people and women are more likely to be in low-pay jobs, people from ethnic minorities and older people find it harder to access work, and we know that sexual harassment and bullying at work is a big problem in Britain. It’s our role to protect the rights of workers, enforce pay gap legislation and challenge discrimination.
Public transport supports the economic and social inclusion of disabled people and older people.
Using public transport means you can take part in all aspects of life; from going to work, to school, the hospital or visiting family and friends. Sadly, not enough is being done to improve public transport for disabled and older people. We plan for this to change, so that no one is discriminated against and equality is at the heart of public transport design.
Goal 2
To make sure we have strong foundations on which to build a more equal and rights-respecting society
‘When anyone has been wronged or victimised, it’s crucial that they know about their legal rights and have access to advice and support.’
David Isaac, chair of Equality and Human Rights Commission
People can access redress when they are wronged and have a fair trial in the criminal justice system.
If someone has their rights breached, they should feel able to access the justice they deserve. Our 2018 Is Britain Fairer? report revealed people’s experience in the legal system is not up to scratch. We are gathering recommendations for UK Government so that everyone has access to justice while ensuring that barriers to justice are exposed and tackled.
The education system promotes good relations with others and respect for equality and human rights.
Schools and nurseries play an essential role in shaping the attitudes of the future. No one should experience prejudice or hate crime at school or later in life. We are committed to helping schools become inclusive places for all children.
Goal 3
To protect the rights of people in the most vulnerable situations
‘To deny people their human rights is to challenge their very humanity.’
Nelson Mandela, South African anti-apartheid revolutionary
For equality and human rights laws to be enforced in institutions.
Conditions in mental health facilities, prisons and immigration centres are deteriorating, with many people experiencing abuse and unnecessary restraint. It’s our duty to make sure policies and safeguards protect everyone’s rights.
Strategic Approach
1.
Take enforcement action to challenge those who breach the law.
2.
Support individuals to bring cases where they’ve experienced discrimination or a breach of relevant rights.
3.
Undertake inquiries and research to expose discrimination, inequality and breaches of rights.
4.
Work in partnership with regulators, inspectorates and others to tackle discrimination, inequality and breaches of rights.
5.
Support employers, service providers and those providing public functions to follow equality and human rights laws, including the Public Sector Equality Duty, and convene them in sharing good practice.
6.
Influence governments and parliaments to strengthen laws and policies.
7.
Undertake strategic litigation to strengthen the interpretation of the law.
