Question

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 7 March 2017 to Question 66217, on plain English, how the Government ensures that both public and private sector service providers fulfil their duties under the Equality Act 2010 on accommodating users who require content published in an easy-read format.

It is for each public authority and private sector service provider to ensure that it acts in compliance with the Equality Act 2010. For the public sector this includes fulfilling the public sector equality duty, which requires public sector bodies to have due regard to the need to:

a) Eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under this Act;

b) Advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it; and

c) Foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it

If individuals feel that they have experienced discrimination, for example through the failure to make reasonable adjustments such as provision of information in a specific format, they may bring an action themselves either through the courts or through the Employment Tribunal Service.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an independent statutory body which has specific legislative powers to monitor and enforce the Equality Act 2010. For example, it can issue an unlawful act notice against an employer or service provider if it is satisfied that they have breached the Act; or assist an individual who is or may become party to legal proceedings where that individual alleges he or she is the victim of a breach of the Act.