TUC welcomes publication of Equality Bill

Welcoming the Equality Bill published today (Thursday) TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

ìTodayís Bill is a landmark piece of legislation which, if implemented fully, will help millions of people to reach their potential at work. The Bill is a testament to Harriet Harmanís hard work and commitment towards delivering equality.

ìBeefing up the equality duties to include all major forms of discrimination will give unions the tools they need to deliver real equality where it really matters, on the shop floor. Using procurement to promote equality ñ an industry now worth 150 billion a year ñ should also have a major impact on the private sector, where the gender pay gap is nearly nine percentage points higher.

ìThe TUC will now examine the proposals in more detail and will work with the Government to help ensure that the measures proposed in the Bill are implemented in full.î