Lords Committee to ask Government officials how the Equality Act 2010 is working for disabled people
The House of Lords Committee investigating the impact of the Equality Act 2010 on disabled people will hold the first evidence session of its inquiry next week.
The Committee on the Equality Act 2010 will hear on Tuesday 7 July from senior officials at two separate Government departments – the Government Equalities Office and the Department for Work and Pensions.
The Committee is exploring the effectiveness of the legislation in harmonising all discrimination law and strengthening the law to support progress on equality.
Witnesses giving evidence next week are Charles Ramsden, Deputy Director, Equality Framework, Government Equalities Office; Tracey Kerr, Head of Legal Advisers, Government Equalities Office and Pat Russell, Head of the Office for Disability Issues, Department for Work and Pensions.
Questions to the witnesses are likely to look at the following issues:
- Has the Equality Act 2010 been a success for disabled people?
- Have there been improvements for disabled people compared to the Disability Discrimination Act?
- How does Government policy on equality serve disabled people?
- Does Government actively enforce reasonable adjustment responsibilities?
- How well do education providers make reasonable adjustments?
- Has Public Sector Equality Duty improved with recent changes?
- What are the plans to improve taxi accessibility?
- Can you assess the role of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, especially in relation to compliance with the Act?
The evidence session will take place at 3.20pm, on Tuesday 7 July, in Committee Room 4a of the House of Lords.
