21 May 2004
Patricia Hewitt has unveiled plans for an equalities super-regulator to bring under one umbrella the existing bodies set up to tackle discrimination in its various forms.
The trade and industry secretary released a white paper outlining the responsibilities of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, which will replace the Commission for Racial Equality, the Equal Opportunities Commission and the Disability Rights Commission.
In addition, the CEHR will police new laws banning workplace discrimination on grounds of religion, sexual orientation and age.
Hewitt confirmed that, for the first time, public sector bodies will have a statutory obligation to promote gender equality for both staff and service users, mirroring that for race equality. But the private sector will not be similarly obligated.
She said the new equality body had to serve everyone and not just the interests of minorities. As a result, white people who felt discriminated against would be able to seek protection from the new body, which would 'challenge all sorts of discrimination'.
PFmay2004
