Public bodies are told to promote sex equality

The government has published proposals that will require public sector bodies to promote sex equality rather than simply preventing discrimination.

Under the proposals, public authorities will have to:

* develop and publish equality schemes that identify goals and show how they will be attained;

* develop and publish their arrangements to ensure equal pay; and

* publish assessments of the impact of new legislation, policies and other changes.

A consultation document, Advancing equality for men and women, is available at www. womenandequalityunit.gov.uk