§ Baroness Dean of Thornton-le-Fyldeasked Her Majesty's Government:
What initial conclusions the Government have reached on the long-term arrangements for offering governmental advice, guidance and support on equality matters. [HL4324]
§ The Lord Privy Seal (Lord Williams of Mostyn)The Minister of State in the Cabinet Office (Mrs Barbara Roche) has today formally announced the start of a project considering the long-term options for the UK's equality machinery. It is intended that this project will report its initial findings in the autumn.
Our first step will be to look at the feasibility of a single equality body.
The project will consider the work of the existing commissions (the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), Commission for Racial Equality (CRE) and the Disability Rights Commission (DRC)) and existing discrimination legislation and put them in the context of new legislation for equal treatment in employment and training on grounds of age, sexual orientation and religion.
We are keen to work closely with other experts in the equalities field on this project. The Government want to be sure that the long-term structures for equality in the UK are carefully thought out and designed to meet the needs of all, individuals and businesses alike.
The existing commissions have over different timescales made an admirable and significant contribution to equality in this country. We need to ensure that the expertise and reputation of the commissions is preserved whatever the outcome of the review, and we shall be involving and consulting them at every stage to ensure this happens.
If the outcome of the project and consultation does lead to recommendations for significant change, it is not expected that any new structures will be operative in the lifetime of this Parliament.
The terms of reference for the project have been placed in the Library.