HC Deb 19 November 2001 vol 375 cc82-3W
Mr. Goodman

To ask the Deputy Prime Minister if he will make a statement on the importance of(a) equality of opportunity and (b) equality of outcome in the Equality Unit's strategy; and how they relate. [14865]

Mrs. Roche

Equality of opportunity is one of the Government's key priorities. We are committed to ensuring that everyone should be able to develop and make full use of their talents throughout their lives. It cannot be right that people are held back by unfair discrimination or stereotypical and inaccurate assumptions about their ability.

Equality of outcome is a yardstick that can be used to assess the degree to which people from different backgrounds, or who have different personal characteristics, have had equal opportunities. If there is clear evidence that one group of people consistently fare less well than another, then we need to look at why this is happening and address the factors that lead to it.

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