§ Ms ShipleyTo ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if he will make a statement on the Government's response to the Better Regulation Task Force review of anti-discrimination legislation. [91665]
§ Dr. Jack CunninghamI have today placed copies of the Government's formal response to the Better Regulation Task Force review of anti-discrimination legislation in the Libraries of the House. The Task Force has made a timely, constructive and challenging contribution to the Government's thinking on these highly important issues. The Government are committed to eliminating all unlawful discrimination, and have accepted the majority of the Task Force proposals. We believe this response to the Task Force, in tandem with our responses today on similar issues to the proposals put forward by the equality Commissions, sets out in the strongest possible terms our commitment to a modern and diverse society.
235WThe Government have accepted the Task Force's main recommendation, that a major legislative overhaul is not necessary at this stage, either in relation to the individual regimes, or in bringing them together. However, the Government agree that much more can be done to make the existing regimes work more effectively, by setting a lead in their own actions as policy makers, a service provider and employer; by encouraging the equality Commissions to act in a more targeted, strategic and joined-up manner; and by encouraging business to seize the initiative and adopt best practices more widely in this area.
To help businesses comply, the Government will further encourage the Commissions to consult with employers on producing simple, clear advice and guidance which everyone (especially small and medium employers) can quickly and easily act upon. This will include clarifying employer obligations in some key areas. Our Civil Justice and Legal Aid Reforms, along with the new Community Legal Service, will help ensure that ordinary citizens will have better and fairer access to justice.