Will it or won’t it! – Message from Jack Moore
As we approach the end of 2009 and looking forward to a well earned break, let’s take a few minutes to reflect on the Equality Bill; will it or won’t it enter the statute books in 2010? At the minute we do not know the answer. The timing of it potentially receiving royal assent could not be worse as it coincides with the likely timing of a general election.
Should Labour claim victory, the Bill should proceed to 'Act' – it has just completed its journey through the House of Commons and will now continue on its second stage; the journey through The House of Lords.
Should the Conservatives claim victory, the Bill could be ditched completely, or be amended significantly, with key proposals dropped.
Imagine the debate and wrangling should we end up with a ‘hung’ parliament?
We can speculate for months, but no matter what, there will be significant changes to the equality agenda in 2010. You see, many of the proposals in the Bill result from case law and European intervention, and these will need to be implemented, Act or no Act. Furthermore, we cannot take away from the volume of consultation and scrutiny resulting in some very positive potential attributes to equality and diversity in the UK.
For housing providers, I will be chairing (CIH) seminars in London and Manchester during May 2010 entitled ‘Equality Act or Not, the equality agenda continues’. By then we will have some answers!
In the meantime, service providers cannot go wrong by developing realistic Single Equality Schemes and continuing with their equality impact assessing. Be warned – Audit Commission are HOT on equality and positive outcome for your customers. The Tenant Services Authority will hopefully be following their lead.
All it leaves me to say is, no matter what your religion, belief, celebration or not as the case may be, please enjoy a well earned break and take care of yourselves and your loved ones!
Jack
Posted 10 December 2009
As we approach the end of 2009 and looking forward to a well earned break, let’s take a few minutes to reflect on the Equality Bill; will it or won’t it enter the statute books in 2010? At the minute we do not know the answer. The timing of it potentially receiving royal assent could not be worse as it coincides with the likely timing of a general election.
Should Labour claim victory, the Bill should proceed to 'Act' – it has just completed its journey through the House of Commons and will now continue on its second stage; the journey through The House of Lords.
Should the Conservatives claim victory, the Bill could be ditched completely, or be amended significantly, with key proposals dropped.
Imagine the debate and wrangling should we end up with a ‘hung’ parliament?
We can speculate for months, but no matter what, there will be significant changes to the equality agenda in 2010. You see, many of the proposals in the Bill result from case law and European intervention, and these will need to be implemented, Act or no Act. Furthermore, we cannot take away from the volume of consultation and scrutiny resulting in some very positive potential attributes to equality and diversity in the UK.
For housing providers, I will be chairing (CIH) seminars in London and Manchester during May 2010 entitled ‘Equality Act or Not, the equality agenda continues’. By then we will have some answers!
In the meantime, service providers cannot go wrong by developing realistic Single Equality Schemes and continuing with their equality impact assessing. Be warned – Audit Commission are HOT on equality and positive outcome for your customers. The Tenant Services Authority will hopefully be following their lead.
All it leaves me to say is, no matter what your religion, belief, celebration or not as the case may be, please enjoy a well earned break and take care of yourselves and your loved ones!
Jack
Posted 10 December 2009