On 8 April 2010, the Equality Bill received royal assent.
The Equality Act strengthens protection against discrimination by:
1. Introducing a new public sector duty to consider reducing socioeconomic inequalities;
2. Putting a new integrated Equality Duty on public bodies;
3. Using public procurement to improve equality;
4. Banning age discrimination outside the workplace;
5. Requiring gender pay and employment equality publishing;
6. Extending the scope to use positive action;
7. Strengthening the powers of employment tribunals;
8. Protecting carers from discrimination;
9. Clarifying the protection for breastfeeding mothers;
10. Banning discrimination in private members’ clubs;
11. Strengthening protection from discrimination for disabled people; and
12. Protecting people from dual discrimination – direct discrimination because of a combination of two protected characteristics.
