Government consults on single equality body

The government favours the introduction of a single equality body to replace the existing commissions covering gender, race and disability, according to Cabinet Office minister Barbara Roche.

A new body would have a wider scope than the existing Equal Opportunities Commission, Commission for Racial Equality and Disability Rights Commission, as it would also cover discrimination related to sexual orientation, religion and age.

Barbara Roche said last month: "We are looking at the longer-term options for the UK's equality framework. This doesn't mean ignoring the voices of any particular group represented by the current Commissions. It does mean finding ways of involving those who think they aren't being catered for."

The proposals for a single equality body form part of the Department of Trade and Industry's consultation, Towards equality and diversity, which outlines proposals for implementing the European Race and Employment Directives. The government is required to introduce legislation outlawing discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation and religion by the end of 2003, and on grounds of age by 2006.

The Equal Opportunities Commission has welcomed the review. EOC chairJulie Mellor said it "will mean that any move towards a single commission is made in an open and inclusive way. I urge the government to test the models against the principles that the EOC believes need to be met to ensure that any new body is able to play its part in helping Britain deliver opportunity for all."