TUC claims equality legislation could benefit millions

The TUC welcomed last month’s publication of the long-awaited Equality Bill as “a landmark piece of legislation”.

The new legislation will allow positive action, enabling employers to choose a minority candidate ­—if they are equally qualified for a job — over a majority one.

The Bill will also ban “gagging clauses” which prevent employees from sharing information about their wages — nearly a quarter of employers currently ban their staff from talking about their pay.

A new single equality duty will replace the existing gender, race and disability duties currently established under separate pieces of equality legislation. The new duty will also include age and sexual orientation.

TUC general secretary Brendan Barber said the Bill “if implemented fully, will help millions of people to reach their potential at work.”