6.1 Equality Act 2010
The Public Sector Equality Duty is set out in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010. The legislation makes provisions for the following:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment, 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.
The Equality Act 2010 covers the following characteristics:
- age
- disability
- sex
- gender reassignment
- marriage, or civil partnership (in employment only)
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sexual orientation.
It applies in England, Scotland and Wales. Under the legislation, all the public bodies were expected to publish their equality information by 30 March 2022. In Wales, annual reports for 2021 to 2022 were expected by 31 March 2023. In Scotland, most listed authorities started their reporting in 2013 and are expected to publish their reports every two or four years, depending on the duty.