Dual discrimination

The government has announced that the “dual discrimination” provisions under the Equality Act 2010 will not be implemented in April as originally planned. Most of the Equality Act was introduced last October although dual discrimination was one of several measures to be postponed.

The provisions aim to protect people who experience discrimination because of a combination of two characteristics, such as black and minority ethnic women or religious men.

At the moment, people may only bring separate discrimination claims relating to one protected characteristic; such as their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

The new dual discrimination clause would allow people to make a claim if they were directly discriminated against because of a combination of two relevant protected characteristics.

According to the Government Equalities Office, ministers are looking at how best to take forward the dual discrimination provisions and have advised that guidance will be published 12 weeks before the provisions come into force.