Equality

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This subtopic contains a range of materials concerning the law of equality as applied to public authorities and bodies, in particular the public sector equality duty (PSED).

The PSED is aimed at embedding the advancement of equality and good relations into the day-to-day business functions of public authorities and bodies performing public functions. It requires equality to be considered (and kept under review) in policy design, decision-making and service delivery.

Public sector equality duty

The PSED was created by the Equality Act 2010 (EqA 2010) and came into force on 5 April 2011, replacing the race, disability and gender equality duties. The PSED applies in England, Scotland and Wales and covers the following characteristics which are protected under EqA 2010, s 4:

  1. •

    age

  2. •

    disability

  3. •

    gender reassignment

  4. •

    pregnancy and maternity

  5. •

    race

  6. •

    religion or belief

  7. •

    gender

  8. •

    sexual orientation

For further information on each of the protected characteristics, see: Protected characteristics—overview.

General and specific duties

The PSED as set out in EqA 2010, Pt 11 comprises:

  1. •

    a general equality duty intended to integrate considerations of equality and good relations

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