Harman sets out equality plans

The government has set out legislation to allow employers to favour female or ethnic minority job candidates over equally-qualified white men.

Equalities minister Harriet Harman said measures in the Equality Bill "represent a radical shift in our approach to fighting unfairness and breathes fresh life into our equality agenda".

She told MPs on Thursday that public bodies will have a duty to report their gender pay gap in their organisation.

While progress had been made since the first equality laws came into force 40 years ago, Harman said that "inequality and discrimination still persist".

She added that the government wanted to address these inequalities and create a fairer society because "no-one should have to put up with discrimination".

It was also important to create a society "which is equal and fair [because it] is one which is more at ease with itself", and it helped Britain "compete in the global economy".

Harman raised concerns over homophobic bullying and ageism, and pointed out that men working full-time still earned 40 per cent more per hour than women working part-time.

She said that disabled people were 2.5 times more likely to be out of work, with black or Asian people earning below the level of their qualifications.

Hailing a "new era of openness" on pay, she pledged to "put the spotlight on pay unfairness which we all know goes on but stays swept under the carpet".

The Equality and Human Rights Commission would conduct enquiries into sectors where most progress was needed, she said, adding: "We're going to tackle sexism in the City.

"We will legislate to give more scope for employers if they want to increase the number of women or black or Asian employees to take positive action."

Harman said the government would extend permission for all women shortlists for parliamentary representation to 2030 to continue women's representation in the House.

And she pledged to "eliminate age discrimination and promote equality for older people".

"We will take powers to outlaw age discrimination in the provision of goods and services," she said.

She added: "In the past when Labour has brought forward laws to promote equality they have been controversial.

"I hope that now, in the 21st century, there will be agreement that we must all play our part in making this country fairer."

Shadow equalities minister Theresa May welcomed the thrust of the Bill but said it lacked detail.

May described the measures to end age discrimination as "baffling and disappointing".

And on the move to allow positive discrimination, she said: "Until now the government has rightly sought to stamp out discrimination.

"This Bill takes a different approach. It will include measures to prevent discrimination and measures to allow discrimination in certain circumstances.

"It introduces further complexity and confuses the government's message.

 "After all these years, I think this is a huge missed opportunity. The government could today have been introducing a revolutionary approach to equalities legislation, promoting fairness and diversity within a positive and sensible framework."