The Equality Bill was carried over from the last session of
parliament and re-announced in the Queen's speech on 18
November.
The Bill sets out new laws intended to
- help narrow the gap between rich and poor
- require business to report on gender pay
- outlaw age discrimination
- strengthen anti-discrimination legislation
If passed, the Bill will replace many of the existing laws around
equality and discrimination.
It will also impose on local authorities a new socio-economic duty
to ensure that their decisions contribute towards closing the
poverty gap in their local areas.
20 November 2009