The Equalities Review
Equalities Review: terms of reference
The Government is committed to creating a society where everyone can
achieve their full potential free from prejudice and discrimination.
But despite 40 years of legislation to protect people from discrimination,
evidence suggests that there are still social, economic, cultural or other
factions that individually or in combination may limit or deny individuals
the opportunity to make the best of their abilities and to contribute to
society fully.
In order to ensure a firm basis for the future development of policies and
programmes that promote equality of opportunity and overcome disadvantage,
we need a compelling understanding of these persistent factors.
The Equalities Review will:
-
provide an understanding of the long term and underlying causes of
disadvantage that need to be addressed by public policy
-
make practical recommendations on key policy priorities for: the
Government and public sector; employers and trade unions; civic society
and the voluntary sector
-
inform both the modernisation of equality legislation, towards a Single
Equality Act; and the development of the new Commission for Equality and
Human Rights.
The Review's recommendations will be based on an assessment of evidence
of steps taken within the UK and abroad to improve significantly the life
chances of disadvantaged groups.
The Review will build on the work already underway within and outside
government to address disadvantage. The focus of the Review will not be on
the tax and benefit system, which is regularly reviewed as part of the
Budget process, but will complement work being set in train by the DTI to
review current equality legislation.
The Review Panel will start work in March 2005 and report to the Prime
Minister by summer 2006. It will receive independent input from a wider
reference group of stakeholders (equality experts, business, service
providers, trade unions, and consumer representatives). Any specific
proposals will make better use of existing resources and avoid placing
unnecessary burdens on business and the delivery of front line services.
