Consultations open on Equality Bill codes of practice

The Equality Bill is currently being debated in the House of Lords. The proposed law will draw together, harmonise and in some cases extend legislation on discrimination against people on the grounds of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.

The EHRC has published draft codes of practice that it says are designed to help employers, public bodies and courts apply the new law consistently when it is introduced.

It has asked for the public's review and comments on its proposals.

"We are producing draft codes for the Equality Bill as the Bill continues its passage through Parliament," said the EHRC in a statement. "This is to ensure that the final codes are available to support the Act once it becomes law and to give you as much time as possible to respond and influence the final versions of the codes."

"The purpose of the Codes of Practice is to explain the new statutory provisions so as to ensure that the law is applied consistently by lower courts and tribunals," it said. "This will also help make the law accessible to a wider audience, such as those who have obligations and those who have rights (or their representatives)."

The EHRC said that it had a duty to make sure that the codes of practice met the needs of the many groups who will come to rely on them.

"As we draft these documents we are acutely aware that they should reflect the needs, expectations and language of the people who are going to use it. This public consultation is not only a statutory requirement but it is also an essential part of the drafting process," it said.

The EHRC has launched three separate consultations on different aspects of the Bill. One is on employment, one on equal pay and the third is relates to services, public functions and associations.

"The new Equality Bill is the most significant piece of equality legislation for many years," said the EHRC. "It will simplify, streamline and strengthen the law. It will give individuals greater protection from unfair discrimination and will make it easier for employers and companies to understand their responsibilities. It will also set a new standard for those who provide public services to treat everyone, with dignity and respect."

The Bill has already been through the House of Commons and is at the committee stage in the House of Lords. It must go through a report stage and a third reading in the Lords before becoming law.

The EHRC's consultations will close on 2nd April.