UK Equality Act 2010

The Equality Act 2010 became an Act of Parliament on 8 April 2010 and the majority of the Act came into force on 1 October 2010.

Within the Act a Public Sector Equality Duty places responsibilities on public authorities to have due regard to the elimination of discrimination, promotion of equality and the fostering of good relations. Scottish Ministers have the power to place specific duties on public authorities to help them deliver on the Equality Duty. Under the Disability Discrimination Act, it was these specific duties which covered issues such as the production of schemes, actions plans, impact assessment and reporting. Following a consultation process, proposals for specific duties will be considered by Scottish Ministers. Any new public sector duties established would come into force in 2012 at the earliest.