Commission launches consultation on new age discrimination guidance
25 Mar 2014 03:29 PM
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Rights Commission has recently launched a six-week consultation on its draft
guidance covering legislation banning age discrimination against people using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
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.