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.

In September 2009, the Government confirmed that it intends to go ahead with plans to allow fathers to benefit from up to six months' additional paternity leave if the mother returns to work before using her full entitlement to statutory maternity leave. The new right will be available to parents of children due on or after 3 April 2011.

In November 2008, the European Council formally adopted the Temporary Agency Work Directive (2008/104/EC), which affords agency workers equal treatment to directly employed staff. The Directive must be implemented by member states no later than 5 December 2011. The UK Government has stated that regulations implementing the Directive will come into force on 1 October 2011.

The Government has confirmed that its goal to extend statutory maternity pay; statutory adoption pay; and maternity allowance to 52 weeks is under review.