The public sector equality duty
We publish a range of equality information to demonstrate how we are meeting the Public Sector Equality Duty.
The Public Sector Equality Duty consists of a general equality duty and specific duties, which help authorities to meet the general duty.
The aim of the general equality duty is to integrate considerations of the advancement of equality into the day-to-day business of public authorities. In summary, those subject to the equality duty, must in the exercise of their functions, have due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct that is prohibited by the Act.
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a characteristic and those who don't
- Foster good relations between people who share a characteristic and those who don't
Find out more information about the Public Sector Equality Duty
Overview of the Public Sector Equality Duty
The Public Sector Equality Duty (the Equality Duty) was created by the Equality Act 2010 in order to harmonise the previous race, disability and gender equality duties and to extend protection to the new protected characteristics listed in the Act. The Equality Duty replaced these duties and it came into force on 5 April 2011.
The duty covers age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and sexual orientation. It applies in England, Scotland and in Wales. The general equality duty is set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010.
In summary, those subject to the general equality duty must have due regard to the need to:
- Eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and other conduct prohibited by the Act.
- Advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
- Foster good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who do not.
These are sometimes referred to as the three aims of the general equality duty. The Act helpfully explains that having due regard for advancing equality involves:
- Removing or minimising disadvantages suffered by people due to their protected characteristics.
- Taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people.
- Encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low.
The Act states that meeting different needs involves taking steps to take account of disabled people's disabilities. It describes fostering good relations as tackling prejudice and promoting understanding between people from different groups. It states that compliance with the equality duty may involve treating some people more favourably than others.
The duty to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination also covers marriage and civil partnership in the workplace.
More information about the Public Sector Equality Duty can be found from the Advice and Guidance area of our website.
Public Sector Equality Duty main page
Questions and Answers about the Public Sector Equality Duty
Last Updated: 03 Mar 2016