British Humanist Association welcomes Equality Bill, with some caution against unintended consequences

The British Humanist Association (BHA) has welcomed the announcement of the Equality Bill in today’s Queen’s Speech.

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. In a time of recession, it becomes even more important to ensure equality across the board. The promotion and realisation of equality is beneficial to society as a whole.’

Ms Stinson continued, ‘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 Equality Bill 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 Lhanne@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.