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The Equality and Human Rights Commission has recently launched a six-week consultation on its draft guidance covering legislation banning age discrimination against people using public or private services.

The Commission has a statutory duty to provide guidance and support to help businesses, public authorities, courts and everyone who needs to understand in depth - or apply in practice - equality legislation.

Before publishing a new age supplement  to the existing statutory Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations,  the Commission is carrying out this consultation to gather feedback and in particular assess whether compliance will have a cost impact for businesses.

Although most provisions in the Equality Act came into effect in 2010, the ban on age discrimination in services, public functions and associations did not come into force until 2012 and has wide implications for people who provide and use services.

The new supplementary Code will supply all the information needed to explain the law and enable organisations to meet their obligations.

It is due to be laid before Parliament for approval later in the year and courts will be able to take it into account when determining cases before them.

Equality and Human Rights Commission Chief Executive, Mark Hammond said:

“We hope the supplementary Code will be valuable and helpful to businesses, public authorities, courts, lawyers and advocates and we want to hear from as many people as possible so we can provide the best possible guidance.

 “This consultation will enable us to refine and improve our final product and provide high quality, relevant assistance in complying with equality laws.”

For more press information contact the Commission’s media office on 0161 8298102, out of hours 07767 272 818.

Notes to Editors

• English version: https://agecodeconsultationehrc.dialoguebydesign.net
• Welsh version: https://agecodeconsultationehrcw.dialoguebydesign.net

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006. It took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission.  It is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain.  It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights.  The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation. It encourages compliance with the Human Rights Act and is recognised by the UN as an ‘A status’ National Human Rights Institute.  It also gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.