EHRC consults on draft codes of practice for Equality Bill

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has opened a consultation on draft codes of practice on two aspects of the Equality Bill: employment and equal pay. The consultation period runs from 12 January until 2 April 2010. Once finalised and approved by Parliament, the codes will be used by courts and tribunals to ensure that the law is applied consistently. 

The Equality Bill, which will consolidate existing discrimination legislation, was formally introduced in the House of Commons on 24 April 2009; it completed its report stage and third reading on 2 December 2009. It was formally introduced in the House of Lords on 3 December 2009. The Government has stated that, subject to the approval of Parliament, it expects the Equality Bill to receive Royal Assent in spring 2010 with most of its provisions coming into force in October 2010. 

Also

Single Equality Act is introduced Existing discrimination legislation is to be distilled into a single Equality Act in order to provide a simpler, more consistent legal framework for preventing discrimination. 

The text of the Equality Bill is available on the UK Parliament website.