Equality Bill is shelved

Government plans to introduce a Single Equality Bill were put on hold this month when the proposed legislation was omitted from the Queen’s Speech. The government now intends to announce the Bill in the November 2008 Queen’s Speech.

While the Bill offers a chance to simplify and harmonise the UK’s complex equality legislation and to strengthen the law in some areas, a consultation on the government’s proposals produced a wide range of criticisms from unions and campaigning equality organisations. Among the many major omissions identified were reform of equal pay law, mandatory equal pay audits and statutory rights for equality reps.

Critics including Susan Scott-Parker, chief executive of the Employers’ Forum on Disability, also pointed out that the proposed Bill would dilute existing equality duties covering public-sector organisations.