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Attention: industrial, business, political, legal and social affairs correspondents

TUC calls for MPs to police equality

In its response to the Government’s consultation on new equality institutions the TUC has today (Thursday) called for a House of Commons equality select committee to consider and review advances on equality issues.

The TUC also sees the potential benefits of the proposal to create a single equality body but feels a set of minimum requirements must be met to prevent a ‘levelling down’ effect on the resources, powers and priority given to the enforcement of equality law.

Brendan Barber, TUC General Secretary Elect, said:

'Prejudice is still rife in the UK. Nearly half the population still think that homosexuality is ‘always’ or ‘mostly’ wrong. A quarter of people in Britain still describe themselves as ‘very’ or ‘a little’ prejudiced against people of other races.

'Bringing together the existing equalities bodies under a well-resourced and powerful single entity has the potential to strengthen the fight against discrimination in all its forms. A new House of Commons body could keep this on track.'

The TUC believes that the minimum requirements for the introduction of a single equality body are:

• The introduction of a single equality act.

• The introduction of measures to ensure a protected and sufficient budget.

• A clear identity and status as an independent body involving all stakeholders, including trade unions, in membership at board level.

• A mandate which is clearly separate from a human rights commission.

• A structure that allows for a clear and equal voice on each equality strand.

• Arrangements that cover the whole range of functions carried out by the existing commissions, including equity in relation to both protection and enforcement across all areas of discrimination.

Notes to Editors:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries: Ben Hurley 020 7467 1248 or 07626 317903 (pager) or email bhurley@tuc.org.uk

Press release (400 words) issued 6 Mar 2003