British Humanist Association welcomes Equality Bill White Paper

The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed moves towards greater equality as set out in the Government’s Equality Bill White Paper but urges caution against the potential for unintended consequences, in particular that legislation does not result in increased discrimination against individuals.

Hanne Stinson, BHA Chief Executive, said, ‘Humanists are committed to the full implementation of human rights and equality for all and we look forward to working with the Government in the coming months to ensure that the Bill achieves this in practice.’

Ms Stinson continued, ‘We welcome the White Paper which aims to extend and promote equality between different people. However, we must be very careful that some proposals, such as extending positive action in employment and the proposed additional public duty in relation to religion or belief, do not inadvertently increase discrimination against individuals based on actual or perceived affiliation to a group.’

‘We hope that the new law will also address existing problems of discrimination by religious organisations. Existing UK equality law gives religious groups power to discriminate against those who do not share their beliefs in both employment and service provision – even when they are receiving public funding – and this is one inequality that we look to the Government to address.’

Amongst other proposals outlined in the White Paper, the BHA particularly welcomes the inclusion of a commitment to end the pay gap; allowing employment tribunals to make wider recommendations in discrimination cases; the commitment to allow discrimination cases to be brought on combined multiple grounds, and the commitment to consider representative actions. We also warmly welcome the ban on age discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services, but deeply regret the exclusion of young people under the age of 18 from this protection.

Notes

For more comment or information, please contact Hanne Stinson, BHA Chief Executive, on hanne@humanism.org.uk or 020 7079 3583 or 07764 947 249.

The British Humanist Association (BHA) is the national charity representing and supporting the non-religious and campaigning for an end to religious privilege and discrimination based on religion or belief.

The BHA’s work is firmly based in principles of human rights, equality and social cohesion, and the BHA’s chief executive Hanne Stinson was a member of the reference group for the Equalities Review and for the Discrimination Law Review.