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24/03/2010
Equality Bill Passed By Lords
Peers have passed groundbreaking new equality laws, giving greater rights to gays, workers, women and older people.
Equality Minister Harriet Harman yesterday hailed the bill as an "historic piece of legislation".
It will now return to the House of Commons, where MPs will consider amendments made by the Lords.
Peers called for greater powers to outlaw caste discrimination.
A prohibition on Civil Partnerships taking place in religious premises could also be removed.
This move - supported by religious groups including the Quakers and Liberal Judaism - means religious groups will be allowed to let Civil Partnership ceremonies take place in their churches, mosques and synagogues, if they choose to do so.
It will not force any religious group to do anything that is not compatible with their faith.
A ban on asking for health and disability information prior to making a job offer has also been recommended by lords. This will stop employers screening job applications to avoid interviewing people with disabilities.
Ms Harman said: "This bill contains a range of new rights, powers and obligations to help the drive towards equality, including tackling the overarching inequality caused by where you are born and what your parents do for a living."
But she said the law taking its place on the statute books will not be the "end of the story".
"After the Bill is passed we will set to work implementing and enforcing it, putting equality firmly at the centre of Government."
(PR/GK)
Equality Minister Harriet Harman yesterday hailed the bill as an "historic piece of legislation".
It will now return to the House of Commons, where MPs will consider amendments made by the Lords.
Peers called for greater powers to outlaw caste discrimination.
A prohibition on Civil Partnerships taking place in religious premises could also be removed.
This move - supported by religious groups including the Quakers and Liberal Judaism - means religious groups will be allowed to let Civil Partnership ceremonies take place in their churches, mosques and synagogues, if they choose to do so.
It will not force any religious group to do anything that is not compatible with their faith.
A ban on asking for health and disability information prior to making a job offer has also been recommended by lords. This will stop employers screening job applications to avoid interviewing people with disabilities.
Ms Harman said: "This bill contains a range of new rights, powers and obligations to help the drive towards equality, including tackling the overarching inequality caused by where you are born and what your parents do for a living."
But she said the law taking its place on the statute books will not be the "end of the story".
"After the Bill is passed we will set to work implementing and enforcing it, putting equality firmly at the centre of Government."
(PR/GK)
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11 October 2004
One-in-seven Britons 'have no religion'
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One-in-seven Britons 'have no religion'
One-in-seven Britons do not consider themselves to be part of any religion, figures from the 2001 census have revealed. According to the study, 'Focus on Religion' published today by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), 15% of people – or 8.6 million people – said they had no religion.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:It will be cloudy again throughout the day. Mainly dry in the morning, but patchy drizzle in places, becoming more widespread and persistent in the afternoon. Freshening southwesterly winds. Maximum temperature 12 °C.Tonight:Cloudy with a spell of heavy rain pushing south through late evening and the early hours, followed by some clear spells. Minimum temperature 6 °C.
