The Government is committed to introducing a single equality bill in this Parliament which brings together all of the different discrimination strands into one piece of legislation. Apparently this will not just be a consolidation Act because the plan is to simplify and clarify the law as well as put it all under one roof. There is also a clear need to overhaul the law on disability discrimination which has been rendered incredibly uncertain by a number of recent decisions in the courts. Add to this new rules on age discrimination in goods and services and reforms to the public sector duties to promote equality and we are looking at a large and very complicated Bill.
So will it happen?
The next couple of weeks will be key. If the Bill is to make it through Parliament before the expected General Election next year then the Government needs to get a move on. With the summer recess and a break over Christmas there is not much Parliamentary time to spare. If we haven’t seen the Bill by the end of April then my bet will be that there just won’t be time to pass it.
If the Bill is introduced then that will obviously be a big deal for all of us involved in employment law. All of our courses and updates will be bang up to date on the latest developments. If you have any special requirements for a full briefing on the new Bill then do give us a call.
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