The Equality Act 2010 is a comprehensive piece of legislation in the United Kingdom, that consolidates and strengthens various anti-discrimination laws. It provides a legal framework to protect the rights of individuals and promote equality of opportunity for all. The Act covers various aspects of discrimination and applies across Great Britain, including England, Wales, and Scotland, with some differences in application due to devolved powers in Scotland.
The Equality Act 2010 says public authorities must comply with the public sector equality duty. This is in addition to their duty not to discriminate against you.
The duty aims to make sure public authorities think about things like discrimination and the needs of people who are disadvantaged or suffer inequality, when they make decisions about how they provide their services and implement policies.
When public authorities carry out their functions, the Equality Act says they must have due regard or think about the need to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who don’t
- foster or encourage good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who don’t
Having due regard means public authorities must consciously consider or think about the need to do the three things set out in the public sector equality duty.
People who are protected under the Act have what’s called protected characteristics.
The characteristics that are protected in relation to the public sector equality duty are:
Age
Disability
Gender Reassignment
Marriage & Civil Partnership
Pregnancy & Maternity
Race
Religion & Belief
Sex
In Influence, Equality Act 2010 involves engaging in various political, legal, and advocacy processes to bring about changes or ensure that the law is effectively implemented and enforced.
In Influence, Equality Act 2010 requires persistence, collaboration, and a multifaceted approach. By combining legal, political, and public pressure, to make meaningful changes that promote equality and protect rights.
