Equality and Human Rights Commission

Graphic including text "EHRC Letter to the Home Secretary. Proportionate policing and protection of protest rights"

The right to peaceful protest is fundamental to our democracy.
We have written to the Home Secretary and Metropolitan Police Commissioner to ensure policing responses to recent demonstrations are proportionate and protect fundamental rights.
orlo.uk/PuyA1

Our Chief Executive, John Kirkpatrick has written a letter to the Times in response to media coverage about the content and process of updating our code of practice for services, public functions and associations. Read the letter here: https://orlo.uk/AR8sP

Race in the Equality Act

Discriminating against someone with a protected characteristic is illegal.

The Equality Act safeguards nine characteristics, including race.

Race can mean colour, nationality, citizenship, ethnic or national origins.

Discover more 👉 https://orlo.uk/i0eMr

Graphic card with the text 'Artificial intelligence case studies: Good practice by local authorities'

Our #AI case studies show how local authorities are using artificial intelligence responsibly while protecting equality and human rights. From Camden's resident-led data charter to Hounslow's automated translation services. Read here: https://orlo.uk/0YDi3 #AIEquality

“Our new research provides valuable insight to help inform effective implementation of the socio-economic duty in England. “Public bodies in Scotland and Wales have been at the forefront of putting the duty into practice. While the UK government’s plans are yet to be finalised, our findings provide English bodies with the evidence to learn from their experiences, before the duty comes into force in England. We particularly note the desire expressed by organisations in Scotland and Wales for additional support to improve implementation. “As Britain’s equality regulator, we plan to provide detailed advice on the introduction of the socio-economic duty in England once the UK government confirms its plans, including which organisations the duty will cover, how it will be regulated and enforced and how it will interact with the Public Sector Equality Duty.” - John Kirkpatrick, Chief Executive

Our new research looks at how the socio-economic duty works in Scotland and Wales. As the UK government considers a rollout in England, public bodies told us they need more support, like guidance, training and sharing good practice.

Find out more: https://orlo.uk/GP0FI

Everyone has a right to feel safe and supported at work.

Employers must take reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment of their workers. We have produced practical guidance on how employers can meet their obligations.

Read our 8 step guide here: https://orlo.uk/rt9qj

A graphic image which shows a photograph of a maternity sonogram in the background with the copy 'interventions to tackle race inequalities in maternity care; research with integrated care boards' overlaid.

We have published new research to help tackle persistent race inequalities in maternity and neonatal care

Our findings and recommended actions are useful for ICBs and health bodies, such as
- maternity and neonatal services
- GP practices
- regulators

🔗 https://orlo.uk/ikK4s

EHRC comment on judicial review challenge brought by Good Law Project Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chairwoman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said: "The court has not granted permission for this claim to proceed. It has deferred its decision to a later hearing, requiring the claimants to amend their claim to clarify what they are challenging and on what basis. The claimant’s case challenged our interim update. We published this following the Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland v The Scottish Ministers to help organisations understand their legal obligations. Whilst not a comprehensive statement of the law, it provides an accurate summary which is consistent with the Equality Act 2010 and Human Rights Act 1998. We will continue to focus on updating our statutory Code of Practice on Services, Public Functions and Associations following our recent public consultation."

Our comment on the judicial review challenge brought by Good Law Project: https://orlo.uk/U8So3

Image of a public bus with the text 'Strategic Plan 2025-2028' overlaid.

Many disabled and older people face significant barriers to accessing key public services, such as public transport.

Our new strategic plan includes action to address these barriers, so everyone can participate in society.

Read our strategic plan here: https://orlo.uk/ROmC6

A graphic image which shows a photograph of a maternity sonogram in the background with the copy 'interventions to tackle race inequalities in maternity care; research with integrated care boards' overlaid.

We have published new research to help tackle persistent race inequalities in maternity and neonatal care

Our findings and recommended actions are useful for ICBs and health bodies, such as
- maternity and neonatal services
- GP practices
- regulators

🔗 https://orlo.uk/gk7fv

Graphic card with the text 'Artificial intelligence case studies: Good practice by local authorities'

Our #AI case studies show how local authorities are using artificial intelligence responsibly while protecting equality and human rights. From Camden's resident-led data charter to Hounslow's automated translation services. Read here: https://orlo.uk/BHKPN #AIEquality

'The work we do at the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to shape a fairer Britain is more important than ever. Human rights continue to be the subject of intense political debate. Around the world, narratives opting for division over diversity are gaining support. This puts our role – as Britain’s equality regulator – in the spotlight. It is therefore imperative we continue to firmly protect and promote the rights of people across the country. ' - Baroness Kishwer Falkner Chairwoman

'The work we do at the EHRC to shape a fairer Britain is more important than ever' - our Chairwoman reflects in our Annual Report 2024-25, published today https://orlo.uk/mdTnd

Graphic image with a background photo of a train, and the words ' Accessible Travel Policy Guidance redress requirements, Consultation response'

We welcome the Office for Rail and Road's proposal for fairer redress in accessible rail travel. Operators must assess claims case by case to ensure older & disabled people receive appropriate redress when assistance fails.
Read our consultation response https://orlo.uk/QcCzP #OfficeofRailandRoadORR

We discussed key human rights and equalities challenges, from child poverty and protest rights to equality law and migration.

We share a common goal: strong protections for human rights and equality for all.

Last week, we met Michael O'Flaherty Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights during his UK visit.

Graphic image with copy 'Guidance for Social Care Commissioners in Wales' and a photo of hands in the background.

We’ve just published new guidance to help Welsh social care commissioners tackle persistent inequalities and meet their equality duties.

The guidance provides a practical framework for integrating equality and human rights considerations throughout the commissioning cycle.

https://orlo.uk/X10NM

You can find the draft code, all updates, press statements and guidance on protected characteristics on our website: equalityhumanrights.com/our-work/uk-...

• we’ll analyse the responses
• we’ll update the draft code where needed
• we’ll submit the draft to the UK government
• The UK government will lay the code of practice in Parliament for it to become statutory guidance

Graphic image that reads 'Code of practice consultation: our work'

Our consultation on updates to the code of practice for services, public functions and associations has closed.

So what happens next?

All submissions will now be carefully considered as we finalise the Code before submitting it to the Minister for Women and Equalities for approval.

www.equalityhumanrights.com/media-centre...

We received over 25,000 responses and engaged directly with affected individuals, duty bearers, legal experts and stakeholders from across Britain.

We are grateful to everyone who contributed their time and insight.

The consultation on updates to our Code of Practice has now closed.

Following the Supreme Court’s judgment in For Women Scotland v Scottish Ministers, we launched a six-week consultation to gather views on further revisions to ensure our guidance remains clear, authoritative and reflects the law.

A green graphic with text over the top saying "Women and equalities committee. We are holding a pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission. 2.20pm, Tuesday 1 July. Watch on Parliament Live."

Tomorrow we will be holding a joint pre-appointment hearing for the Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) alongside the Joint Committee on Human Rights.

The Government's preferred candidate is Dr Mary-Ann Stephenson.

Watch on Parliament Live 🟢

Through this platform, we will share information about our work, updates on our inquiries and guidance, and opportunities for you to engage with us.

www.equalityhumanrights.com/about-us/who...

Welcome to the official Bluesky account of the Equality and Human Rights Commission.

As Britain’s independent equality and human rights regulator, our role is to protect and promote the rights of everyone, to ensure fairness, dignity and respect.