This briefing provides an overview of the Public Sector Equality Duty and related debate.
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This briefing outlines the Public Sector Equality Duty contained in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, which requires public authorities to have due regard to a number of equality considerations when exercising their functions.
Section 149 replaced pre-existing duties concerning race, disability and sex. It extended coverage to the additional protected characteristics of age, gender reassignment, religion or belief, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation and, in certain circumstances, marriage and civil partnership.
The briefing also provides an overview of Equality Impact Assessments. These are assessments that public authorities often carry out prior to implementing a policy, with a view to ascertaining its potential impact on equality. They are not required by law, although are a way of facilitating and evidencing compliance with the Public Sector Equality Duty.