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Is The Controversial Equality Bill Doomed?

10 December 2009

It’s on the cards that the significant new piece of legislation in discrimination law – the proposed Equality Bill – could fail to make it into the statute books, says Kent employment lawyer Melissa Edmond.

Melissa, a solicitor with leading regional law firm Furley Page’s employment team – singled out by independent national legal guide Chambers UK – says: “With an expected May 2010 election, the bill has only six months to progress through five stages in the House of Lords before receiving royal assent – jostling for attention, no doubt, with the 12 other bills covered in the seven-minute Queen’s Speech.

“Given the current opinion polls – plus the fact that the Conservatives voted against the bill at its second reading in the House of Commons in May – only time will tell whether it survives.”

The Equality Bill, first presented to the House of Commons in June, 2008, promises to narrow the age gap between rich and poor, tackle discrimination and help address the differences in pay between men and women, among other things.

If it becomes law, it will reduce nine existing major pieces of legislation and around 100 statutory codes of practice into one simple format in everyday language.

  • Discrimination is unlawful on the following grounds: age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation – all known as protected characteristics.

For further information call Melissa Edmond on 01227 763939.

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