Out-Law / Your Daily Need-To-Know

Government will follow existing Equality Act timetable

05 Jul 2010, 2:17 pm

The Government will stick to the timetable laid down by its predecessor for the introduction of equality laws, it has said. Doubts were raised about the timetable for implementing the laws last month.

The Equality Act was passed by Parliament before the general election but most of it was not due to come into force until October.

Government department the Government Equalities Office (GEO) withdrew the planned timetable from its website last month and the GEO told OUT-LAW.COM that this was because the new Government had not finalised its legislative timetable.

The GEO has now confirmed that the Act, which consolidates till-now disparate laws on sex, age, race and disability discrimination, will be implemented as previously planned.

"The first wave of implementation of the Equality Act will go ahead to the planned October timetable following the publication of the first commencement order in Parliament next week," said a GEO statement. "This will pave the way for the implementation of landmark provisions to protect disabled people from discrimination and tackle the gender pay gap."

The GEO has today published a number of guides to the Act to help individuals and organisations to understand the law changes. There are guides for organisations in the voluntary sector, public bodies and private companies, as well as a guide to their rights for individuals.

"Implementing the Equality Act to the planned timetable makes clear our commitment to equality," said Theresa May, home secretary and minister for women and equalities. "A successful economy needs the full participation of all its citizens and we are committed to implementing the Act in the best way for business."

The GEO said that it would soon publish 'quick start' guides to particular law changes that the public should know about.