Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what formal powers the Equality and Human Rights Commission has to investigate breaches of equality legislation.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC)’s powers to investigate breaches of equality legislation are set out in Section 20 of the Equality Act 2006. The Commission may investigate whether or not a person has committed an unlawful act; has complied with a requirement imposed by an unlawful act notice under section 21 of the act; or has complied with an undertaking given under section 23 of the Act.

More generally, EHRC’s enforcement powers, which include these investigatory powers, are set out in sections 20 – 32 of the Act as amended by the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013.