Harriet Harman recently confirmed that the Equality Bill will be passed before the end of Parliament. The Bill is another positive step in helping to tackle discrimination.

However, the scope of groups to be offered protection by the Bill will significantly expand. In particular, the Code of Practice developed by the Equality and Human Rights Commission makes clear that religions need not be mainstream to be offered protection under the Bill. In particular they single out vegans who do not eat any animal products or wear leather as being afforded protection under the legislation. The Bill covers “any religious belief or philosophical belief” and even a “lack of belief” and it is thought that this could  also be extended to cover teetotallers.

Public bodies already have an existing duty to consider how their decisions can affect people according to their race, disability or gender. The Bill enhances this duty and imposes new categories to be considered; namely, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, age, and religion or belief.

The Bill will also aim to provide a more level playing field at work for women with the introduction of the ban on secrecy clauses for pay. This will allow for the comparison of wages by all employees and  will also allow for challenges to be made against employers who pay women significantly less than their male counterparts. The Bill will also address the issue of age discrimination.