What Future for the Equality Act?

The Equality Act is facing some of the most significant challenges since its introduction.

Kemi Badenoch has stated that a future Conservative government would repeal the Public Sector Equality Duty: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy5vyqykpx5o

Reform UK has gone further, calling for the Equality Act itself to be scrapped: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c9dnjg896zno

We're seeing many people question the value of equality, diversity, and inclusion initiatives like never before. Equality practice is increasingly being portrayed as ideological, bureaucratic, or out of touch. And, of course, at the same time, communities across the UK are experiencing growing tensions.

The truth is, many people working on equalities issues have mixed feelings about the Act. More than fifteen years after it came into force, there are very few who would argue it has helped push public organisations towards the fairer society we hoped for. Progress has often been slow, uneven, and fragile.

Yet the question remains: what would happen if these protections and duties were weakened or removed altogether?

Would it create space for new approaches and fresh thinking? Or would it leave individuals and communities with fewer protections at a time when they may need them most?

Since these are not questions any of us can answer alone, so we're convening a short-notice meeting for equality practitioners and allies. Together we will:

👉 hear more about the current political and policy landscape

👉 explore what may be at stake for public bodies, communities and equality practice

👉 reflect on the strengths and limitations of the current legislative framework

👉 consider what a constructive and credible public response might look like

👉 explore whether collective action is needed and, if so, what form it should take

This is not a meeting for predetermined answers - hopefully it'll be a space for honest reflection, thoughtful debate, and collective sense-making.

It's an online event on Wednesday 24 June, 5:30pm–7pm. Book here.