MPs attack equality law 'delays'

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MPs have urged the government to speed up efforts to deliver effective laws to combat all forms of discrimination.

"Indecision, instability and delays" have undermined the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights before it has even started work, their report said.

It also noted "with regret" that an equality bill was not in the recently published draft legislative programme.

The government said it was committed to a Single Equality Bill and placed "huge importance" on equality.

The report, by the Commons communities and local government committee, said "deep and entrenched inequalities and unfair discrimination persist" despite 40 years of anti-discrimination laws.

Pay gap

It warned that the pay gap between men and women could take another 78 years to close - while disabled people, Pakistani and Bangladeshi women may never gain equality in employment.

The government is currently consulting on a Single Equality Bill for England, Scotland and Wales, which aims to streamline 40 years of piecemeal laws covering sex, race and religious discrimination.

Indecision, instability and delays in government's management of the transition have also undermined the ability of the commission to deliver effectively from day one Committee's report

In October the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) is due to start work, taking over the duties of the old Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission.

But the committee criticised the decision for the CEHR to begin work before a Single Equality Act had been approved, saying it had "complicated the process from the outset".

Delay 'regrettable'

It said the CEHR was a "positive development in the battle against unfair discrimination" but added "indecision, instability and delays in government's management of the transition have also undermined the ability of the commission to deliver effectively from day one."

It added: "We note with regret that the government's recently published draft legislative programme for the next Parliamentary session does not include an equalities bill.

"We recommend that the government give greater priority to its development than it has to date and introduce or publish a bill early in the next Parliamentary session."

No one should doubt the huge importance government places on equality and we remain committed to introducing a Single Equality Bill Department for Work and Pensions spokesman

The report added the government needed to "act swiftly" on this adding: "Any further delay would be regrettable."

The committee's Labour chairwoman Phyllis Starkey said: "There are not just moral imperatives in reducing inequality and discrimination but economic and social benefits to be gained too.

"We call on the government to do still more to tackle unfair discrimination and reduce inequalities, particularly those that are deep-rooted and persistent in society."

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said the government had recently announced a new Government Equalities Office - and said tackling discrimination was "at the heart of policy making".

He added: "No one should doubt the huge importance government places on equality and we remain committed to introducing a Single Equality Bill.

"However, a great deal of progress has already been made with the introduction of the Civil Partnerships Act and laws to protect people against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, religion or belief, amongst other legislation."