Mixed reaction to equality proposals

Proposals for a clutch of new equality directives and a single
equality body have received a mixed response.

Chairperson of the Disability Rights Commission Bert Massie
welcomed the proposals for a law for to protect people in the
workplace from discrimination on the grounds of religion or sexual
orientation. But he warned that the government also needed to
implement comprehensive disability legislation.

He said: “You can’t combat discrimination without the right tools,
but there’s little in the consultation paper on the linchpin issue
of a single equality act.”

Sarah Spencer, commissioner for the Commission for Racial Equality,
welcomed the consultation but said she was worried that the
directives covered only work.

“We are disappointed that protection from discrimination in the
provision of public services such as health and education, already
available to ethnic minorities, women and disabled people, will not
be available to other members of society.”

– Equality and Diversity – The Way Forward and Making it
Happen from www.dti.gov.uk/er/equality