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26 August 2021


August news from the Equality and Human Rights Commission


Let us know what you think about our future proposals


We have recently published the draft proposals for our next strategic plan and we want to know what you think.


Our current strategic plan runs until March 2022 and we are now running an open public consultation on our proposals for 2022-25. We want to hear from stakeholders, relevant organisations and people interested in our work in England, Scotland and Wales.


Through the consultation process we aim to:


Hear a wide range of views


Make sure stakeholders’ needs are considered


Make sure our work is heading in the right direction


Increase awareness of our work and role


Fulfil our duty under the Equality Act 2006English and Welsh versions of our Strategic Plan are available, as well as an EasyRead version and a BSL explainer video. Our consultation is open until 23.59 on Thursday 30 September 2021.


Read the plan and share your thoughts [link removed]


What are section 23 agreements?


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As the regulatory body responsible for enforcing the Equality Act 2010, we have a range of powers available to help us uphold the law and make Britain fairer. One of these powers is the ability to enter into legally binding agreements with organisations who may have breached the equality law, under section 23 of the Equality Act 2006. We are currently monitoring twenty-eight of these agreements.


Natalie Johnston from our enforcement team explains how we use section 23 agreements to help organisations prevent discrimination and improve their approach to equality.


Read Natalie's explainer [link removed]


Reminder: we want to hear from you if you're accessing or have tried to access adult social care


Last month we launched our inquiry into challenging decisions about adult social care [link removed] . We want to find out how older and disabled adults and unpaid carers can challenge local council decisions about social care and support in England and Wales.


A vital part of our evidence gathering for this inquiry is hearing from people who are receiving or have tried to receive adult social care, either for themselves or for a loved one. We also want to hear from unpaid carers who have tried to access support from their local council. You can let us know about your experiences by completing our short survey before 15 September.


Complete the survey [link removed]


The role of the board in Gender Pay Gap reporting


The extended deadline for reporting Gender Pay Gap data is fast approaching, with all companies with over 250 employees required to report their data by 4 October.


As companies scrutinise their pay gap data, our Commissioner Suzanne Baxter, who herself has substantial board and committee experience, has shared her thoughts on the important role Board members and senior executives have to play in closing the gap.


Read Suzanne's blog [link removed]


How to close your gender pay gap


On Monday 13 September our Commissioner Suzanne Baxter will be speaking at a free event hosted by the Chartered Management Institute to launch a toolkit to provide businesses with practical tools and resources for action planning to close gender pay gaps. The event will be chaired by Ann Francke OBE, Chief Executive of the CMI and Suzanne will be joined by Shoshana Davidson, Principal Advisor at the Behavioural Insights Team and Claire Cunliffe, our Head of Interventions.


Places at the event are free but limited - book yours now using the link below.


Book your place [link removed]


Reasonable adjustments for disabled pupils during the pandemic


On Thursday 9 September at 10.30am our Scottish team is hosting a free webinar to explore the challenges of accessing Covid-safe reasonable adjustments in schools and remote learning. As schools go back after the summer break, this event brings together education specialists from the field of law and the third sector, to discuss the legal framework concerning reasonable adjustments and the route to obtaining advice and representation for parents and carers.


This event will be of interest to lawyers, advisers and third sector organisations who provide information, advice and representation and support to disabled pupils, their parents and carers.


Find out more and book your place [link removed]


EHRC's term as Chair of Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions extended


In 2018 we took over the chairship of the Commonwealth Forum of National Human Rights Institutions (CFNHRI) for a period of two years, to coincide with the UK acting as Chair-in-Office for the Commonwealth. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) was postponed in 2020 and postponed again earlier this year due to COVID-19. As a result, the Biennial Meeting which also facilitates the handover of Chair of the CFNHRI, was also postponed.


Following discussions with the incoming Chair (Rwanda National Commission for Human Rights) and the UK Government (who has extended their term as Chair-in-Office of the Commonwealth), we have support to continue in the role of Chair of the CFNHRI for a limited time until CHOGM can be reconvened - we anticipate this happening in Spring 2022.


We will continue to work closely with our partner NHRIs to uphold human rights across the Commonwealth. To find out more about the work of CFNHRI, visit cfnhri.org [link removed] .


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Equality and Human Rights Commission
Fleetbank House, 2-6 Salisbury Square, EC4Y 8JX


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