Wales equality impact

Communities minister Huw Lewis has pledged that the Welsh Government will not follow England by dropping equality impact assessments (EIAs).

The assessments, introduced as part of the 2010 Equality Act, evaluate the possible or actual effects of policies on people based on disability, gender and race.

Last year, prime minister David Cameron said Whitehall departments will no longer have to carry out these assessments that looked at whether government policies comply with equality laws.

Lewis told Welsh Assembly Members that the Welsh Government intends to continue with the EIAs.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “We have no plans to follow Westminster and repeal this duty as it helps us address inequality and disadvantage.”