Question

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they plan to announce a commencement order for the socio-economic duty in section 1 of the Equality Act 2010.

I refer the Noble Lord to the answer of 5 June 2025, Official Report, PQ HC 53909.

Question:

To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, when she plans to enact the socioeconomic measures in the Equality Act 2010.

Answer:

The Government is committed to commencing the socio-economic duty in the Equality Act 2010. The duty will require specified public bodies, when making strategic decisions, to consider actively how their decisions might help to reduce the inequalities associated with socio-economic disadvantage.

We will work in partnership with public authorities, civil society and others in order to ensure that the implementation of the duty is as effective as possible. As part of this, we have included questions in relation to the socio-economic duty in a call for evidence on equality law, which was launched on 7 April and will be open until 30 June. This will enable public authorities and others to input into plans in relation to the socio-economic duty at an early stage.