The Equality Act 2010 brings together and replaces the previous anti-discrimination laws with a single Act. It aims to simplify and strengthen the law, removing inconsistencies and making it easier for people to understand and comply with it. The majority of the Act came into force on 1 October 2010.
The Act includes a new public sector equality duty which replaces the previously separate duties on race, disability and gender equality. This came into force on 5 April 2011.
The aim of the equality duty is to ensure that public authorities and those carrying out a public function consider how they can positively contribute to a fairer society through advancing equality and good relations in their day-to-day activities. The duty ensures that equality considerations are built into the design of policies and the delivery of services and that they are kept under review. This should achieve better outcomes for all.
The 3 aims of the equality duty are to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Equality Act;
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a relevant protected characteristic and those who do not;
- foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
The new general duty covers the following protected characteristics:
- Age
- Sex
- Race – including ethnic or national origin, colour or nationality
- Disability
- Gender reassignment
- Pregnancy and maternity
- Sexual orientation
- Religion or belief – including lack of belief
- It applies to marriage and civil partnership, but only in respect of the requirement to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination.
Most public bodies in Wales are also subject to specific duties laid upon them by the Welsh Government. The specific duties set out the steps that these bodies in Wales must take in order to demonstrate that they are meeting the general duty.
As a result, the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales must publish a Strategic Equality Plan and Equality Objective no later than 2 April 2012, stating what she will do to fulfil the specific duties. The Commissioner must also have engaged with people as part of gathering relevant information to set her Objectives. This consultation seeks views on the Commissioner’s draft objectives and draft Strategic Equality Plan.
How to respond
Please submit your comments by 29 February 2012 in any of the following ways:
Email: ask@olderpeoplewales.com with ‘Response to Equality Objectives’ as the subject header
Post
Equality Objectives Consultation
Older People’s Commissioner for Wales
Cambrian Buildings
Mount Stuart Square
Cardiff
CF10 5FL
By telephone interview
Please call 08442 640670 to arrange a suitable time.
Additional information
Any response you send us will be seen in full by the Older People’s Commissioner’s staff dealing with the issues that this consultation is about. It may also be seen by other members of staff to help them plan future consultations.
The Older People’s Commissioner may publish the responses to this consultation. Normally, the name and address (or part of the address) of the person or organisation who sent the response are published with the response. This helps to show that the consultation was carried out properly. If you do not want your name or address published, please tell us this in writing when you send your response.
Consultation documents
Word version PDF version
Accessible formats and other languages
If you would like a copy of this document in large print or another accessible format or another language, please contact us on 08442 640670.