12/05/2004

Proposals for new UK equality body published

Details of how the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) will work are set out in a White Paper published today.

The government announced plans to create a single body to challenge discrimination and promote human rights last October. The CEHR will bring together the work of the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Disability Rights Commission.

It will also take responsibility for new laws outlawing discrimination in the workplace on grounds of age, sexual orientation, religion or belief.

Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt said: "The CEHR will bring together knowledge and experience to overcome and challenge all types of discrimination and will have a broader range of tools to tackle the complexities of our diverse society."

The creation of a single organisation will: bring together equality experts and act as a single, consistent source of information and advice; tackle discrimination on multiple levels; help businesses by promoting awareness of equality issues, which may prevent costly tribunal cases; and provide institutional support for human rights, with a power to intervene as a third party.

The White Paper also announces the start of work to implement the government's commitment to a new requirement for public sector bodies. The 'gender duty' will ensure their actions promote equality of opportunity between women and men and make public services more responsive to their different needs.

(gmcg)

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