TUC welcomes Equality Bill

Responding to the Equality Bill published today (Monday) by Equalities Minister Harriet Harman, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

ìWe welcome the Ministerís courage in defying the business lobbyists who say that equality doesnít matter in a recession by publishing this Bill.

ìBringing together the dozens of acts accumulated over the last 40 years into a single Equality Act will make it easier for individuals and employers to understand the law.

ìBut this Bill is more than just a cleaning up exercise. It strengthens the law and gives important new protections to disabled people and their carers, as well as extending rights for older people.

ìThe new duty to promote equality will encourage the public sector to continue to lead the way in tackling inequalities in the provision of public services.

ìWe are disappointed that the Government has fallen short of taking bolder steps to close the pay gap, particularly in the private sector where it stands at over 20 per cent.

ìHowever, we welcome the Governmentís decision to work with the TUC, Equalities and Human Rights Commission and the CBI to work out more effective ways of identifying how best private sector companies can report on any pay gaps.î