Public Sector Equality Duty explained
The Public Sector Equality Duty, which is part of the Equality Act 2010, establishes both a general and specific duties for public bodies such as the council.
By law, public bodies must try to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and 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 Act explains that 'due regard' for advancing equality involves:
- removing or minimising disadvantages experienced by people due to their protected characteristics
- taking steps to meet the needs of people from protected groups where these are different from the needs of other people
- encouraging people from protected groups to participate in public life or in other activities where their participation is disproportionately low.
Further information