Although positive progress has been made in some areas of life for some people, there is still a lot more to do to ensure everyone is free from discrimination and can enjoy their basic human rights.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission have published their review of how Britain is performing on equality and human rights (pdf), in October 2018.
This report provides a complete picture of people’s life chances in Britain today. It looks across all areas of life, including:
- education
- work
- living standards
- health
- justice and security
- participation in society
The report finds:
- Disabled people are not enjoying the progress experienced by other groups. Their right to an inclusive education is not being fulfilled – in fact, the proportion of disabled children at special rather than mainstream schools has increased in England and Wales – and they are more likely to be excluded from school.
- The employment gap and pay gap with men has narrowed, and the number of women in higher pay occupations and represented on company boards has increased.
- However, sexual and domestic violence is a persistent and growing concern, and affects women and girls disproportionately.
- Ethnic minorities are more at risk of becoming homeless, have poorer access to healthcare and higher rates of infant mortality, and some groups have lower trust in the criminal justice system.
- Restrictions on legal aid and the introduction of employment tribunal fees – now repealed – have severely reduced people’s ability to secure redress when their rights are breached.
