27 Apr 2009
Scotland Office Minister Ann McKechin today welcomed the publication of the Equality Bill which will significantly strengthen and streamline equalities legislation to make Britain a fairer and more equal place.
The Bill will ban age discrimination and help to tackle inequality in the workplace through gender pay and equality reports. Equal opportunities is a reserved matter and this is the 15th Government Bill to extend to Scotland during this session of Parliament.
Ann McKechin, Scotland Office Minister said:
"This is an important piece of legislation which will make it easier for people and businesses to know their rights and their obligations. The Bill will provide protection for people across Scotland and the rest of Great Britain so that they may live their lives free from discrimination and be able to fulfill their potential.
We have a proud tradition in the UK leading the way on legislation to promote civil rights and equal opportunities. I welcome the legislation and believe that it will benefit people in Scotland from all walks of life, enabling them to participate fully in society without fear of discrimination in areas such as employment or as customers of goods and services."
The Bill will introduce a new Equality Duty on public bodies to consider the needs of diverse groups in the community when designing and delivering public services. UK Ministers will set the public sector duties for reserved bodies in Scotland and the Bill provides the Scottish Ministers with the power to set the specific duties for Scottish bodies. The Government is committed to working with the devolved administrations to help promote equal opportunities for all across the UK.
The Bill will also include important measures to protect carers from discrimination, ban age discrimination and safeguard the rights of disabled people.
More information on the Bill can be found on the website of the Government Equalities Office:
www.equalities.gov.uk