Public sector equality duty: specific duties for England

The Equality Act 2010 introduced a public sector equality duty, which higher education institutions and the Higher Education Funding Council for England have to meet. The duty is underpinned by specific duties. In England these commenced on 10 September 2011. 

This briefing provides detail of the equality duty and the specific duties for England, and highlights issues for institutions to consider in developing their approaches to meeting the requirements.

The replaces ECU's March briefing produced in response to previously proposed specific duties which were subsequently withdrawn. It should be read in conjunction with Equality Act 2010: implications for higher education institutions.

Areas covered include:

• Equality duty
• General duty
• Due regard
• Specific duties
• Publication of information
• Equality objectives
• Examples of information to collect for staff and students