Equality and Human Rights Commission reform

A consultation has been launched by the Home Office into the way that the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) operates in the future. Set up in 2007, the independent body was established to help eliminate discrimination, reduce inequality, protect human rights and to build good relations across England, Scotland and Wales. The consultation closes on 15 June 2011.

The consultation is intended to “increase transparency, accountability and value for money”. Home Secretary and minister for women and equality Theresa May said:

‘It’s vital that we have a strong, effective and independent equalities and human rights body, but since its creation the EHRC has struggled to deliver across its remit and demonstrate that it is delivering value for taxpayers’ money.

‘We want the EHRC to become a valued and respected national institution, championing effective implementation of equality and human rights laws and holding government and others to account for their performance, while delivering maximum value for money for taxpayers. The proposals being published today are intended to make that happen.’

Core functions will be clarified because it is claimed that presently, its functions, as defined in the Equality Act, are vague. An example given is the duty to ‘promote understanding of the importance of equality and diversity’ which has led the EHRC doing a wide range of activities that are not regulatory in nature, including running summer camps for young people.

Another cause of the difficulties has also been identified as the breadth of the organisation’s remit, including providing functions that extend beyond its core role such as operating a helpline and grants programme. It is claimed that evidence suggests that this work could be done better or more cost-effectively by others, so the EHRC will not be funded for these activities in future.

Each set of EHRC’s accounts have been qualified since its creation, as auditors have judged that they do not paint a complete picture of how EHRC has spent its money. So proposals include a legal requirement for the EHRC to publish an annual business plan in parliament and comply with the same rules as all other public bodies when spending money. Where the commission fails to show that it has spent taxpayers’ money wisely, there will be financial penalties.

Major reforms to Equality and Human Rights Commission

New blog post from Lasa CEO, Terry Stokes.

Discrimination, protection and advice

A Panorama programme this week appeared to show people with learning disabilities being physically and verbally abused in a residential private hospital, funded via the local Primary Care Trust. I felt deeply saddened and shocked to see such events occurring within the confines of the British welfare system, a system set up more than 60 years ago and intended to tackle ignorance, amongst the five “Giant evils”.

In my opinion, behaviour of the kind we saw in this programme is often driven by ignorance, as is much discriminatory behaviour based on taking advantage of other vulnerable people. This is why I feel that it is vitally important that avenues exist through which people facing discrimination can report such incidents taking place, as well as seeking advice on how to deal with them. Which is why, in turn, I am deeply concerned about government plans for reforming the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC).

Their PCS members and some from Unite are undertaking a series of protests against the closure of their office in Manchester. The city is not only losing EQHRC but also Law Centres and the Manchester Advice Service to name just a couple of the threatened and disappearing essential providers of support and advice.  Not a good time to be vulnerable.

There is a storm brewing.