Government consults on indirect discrimination

28th November 2008

The Government is holding consultation events on its plans for equality legislation and adopting the principle of indirect discrimination for disability. 

It plans to introduce the new Equality Bill in this Parliament, which will extend, simplify and harmonise the range of legislation that currently protects people from discrimination based on disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, and age.

In preparing for the Bill the Government has been considering a recent ruling in the House of Lords which has resulted in making it more difficult for a disabled person to show that he or she has experienced disability-related discrimination.

Added to this the Government has had to consider the anticipated legal requirements of the European Commission’s proposals to introduce a new Directive to provide protection against discrimination based on disability, religion or belief, sexual orientation and age, in areas beyond employment.    

The events are being held across the United Kingdom from the 4th to 15th of December. Visit the Office for Disability Issues website for full details. 

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Notes to editors

Media enquiries, please contact:

Brenda Otema, Communications & Marketing Officer
Employers' Forum on Disability
Email: brenda.otema@efd.org.uk
Telephone: 020 7403 3020

About Employers' Forum on Disability

Employers' Forum on Disability is the employers' organisation focused on disability as it affects employers and service providers. With over 300 members, EFD represents organisations that employ around 20 per cent of the UK workforce.Since its establishment in 1991, EFD has worked closely with government and other stakeholders, sharing best practice to make it easier to employ disabled people and serve disabled customers.

www.efd.org.uk