Update: Draft specific duties regulations for England

The Home Office has announced that the public sector equality duty, specific duties for England will now be debated in the House of Lords. Previously the government had aimed for the duties being in force before Parliament broke for the summer recess.

The debate is likely to be held in September 2011, and the duties should then come into force following parliamentary approval.

You can find further information on the Home Office website.

Meeting the PSED

In the interim period, higher education institutions must continue to meet the public sector equality duty. In particular institutions will need to consider how to demonstrate due regard throughout their functions.

• Law: The Public sector equality duty

• Your questions: How do we demonstrate due regard?

Gather information

ECU recommends that institutions continue to gather the information that they already collect on staff and students and look to fill the gaps for the protected characteristics that are newly covered by the duty. Examples of information could include:

• Monitoring information
• Staff and student surveys
• Evidence of incidents of discrimination and harassment
• Evidence of engagement activities

Consider possible objectives

In anticipation of requirements around setting equality objectives, institutions could consider areas highlighted by this information and develop potential objectives to address these issues. It may be helpful to build on work already carried out to meet the previous race, disability and gender duties.

Further information

For the latest information on the Equality Act, visit our dedicated Equality Act homepage.

If you have any queries, email equality.act@ecu.ac.uk