Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act aims to simplify the law by bringing together several pieces of anti-discrimination legislation. It replaces the following employment legislation:

§  Equal Pay Act 1970

§  Sex Discrimination Act 1975

§  Race Relations Act 1976

§  Disability Discrimination Act 1995

§  Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003

§  Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003

§  Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006

§  Equality Act 2006, Part 2

§  Equality

The Government is considering several aspects of the Act, including: 

§  dual discrimination (which will allow someone to make a claim to an Employment Tribunal on the basis of two protected characteristics)

§  gender pay gap information in respect of the private sector

§  positive action in recruitment and promotion (in terms of extending the existing positive action provisions)

Ministers are considering how to implement these remaining provisions in the best way for business and for others with rights and responsibilities under the Act. Their decisions will be announced in due course.

The employment law implications of the new Act are currently being considered by the NHS Staff Council and any necessary changes will be reflected in the national terms and conditions handbook in due course.   

 Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007