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Enforcing the Equality Act: the law and the role of the EHRC inquiry

Inquiry

The individual approach to enforcement of equality law is no longer fit for purpose, says the Women and Equalities Committee in the report of its year-long inquiry.

The report argues against relying on the individual approach, dating back to the 60s and 70s, and recommends that this must be replaced by a new approach which provides a sustainable deterrent and tackles institutional and systemic discrimination.

While individuals must still have the right to challenge discrimination in the courts, says the Committee, the system of enforcement should ensure that this is only rarely needed: this will require a fundamental shift in the way that enforcement of the Equality Act is thought about and applied.

The Committee has already made recommendations to improve the enforcement of the Equality Act in specific areas. It now wants to know what more needs to be done to achieve widespread compliance with the Equality Act 2010 for all those with rights under it, including:

the processes by which individual cases can be brought under the Equality Act, including the barriers that may prevent claimants from enforcing their rights
the role of the EHRC as the enforcement body, including the effectiveness of its duties, powers and policies
whether there are other models of enforcement that could achieve more widespread compliance with the rights set out in the Equality Act 2010.

Work news

Fundamental shift needed for enforcing the Equality Act

Women and Equalities Committee publishes report on Enforcing the Equality Act: the law and the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission

Equality and Human Rights Commission questioned on their role

Women and Equalities Committee examines regulator's enforcement powers, the role of other bodies, the cost of legal aid and courts

How the Equality Act 2010 affects operation of single-sex services examined

Women and Equalities Committee continues inquiry into Enforcing the Equality Act

Committee examine individual's ability to enforce their rights under the Equality Act 2010

Women and Equalities Committee explore how the the Equality Act 2010 enforces individual rights

Enforcing the Equality Act: Employment examined

Women and Equalities Committee question Director of the Labour Market Enforcement regarding enforcement of the Act in employment

Individuals enforcing their rights questioned on their experience

Women and Equalities Committee continues inquiry into the enforcement of the Equality Act

30 January 2019

Equality and Human Rights Commission's policies examined

Women and Equalities Committee continues inquiry into the enforcement of the Equality Act

16 January 2019

The role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission examined

Women and Equalities Committee continues inquiry into Equality Act

27 November 2018

Enforcing the Equality Act: the law and the role of the EHRC examined

Women and Equalities Committee begins its scrutiny of the Equality Act 2010

31 October 2018

Enforcement of the Equality Act: Inquiry launched

Women and Equalities Comittee wants to know what more needs to be done on compliance with the Equality Act 2010

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Email: womeqcom@parliament.uk
Phone: (General enquiries) 020 7219 4452
Address: Committee Office, House of Commons, Palace of Westminster, SW1A 0AA