General information

Last updated: 01/02/2013 Add to My Bookmarks Subscribe

Equality and Human Rights Commission

The Equality and Human Rights Commission have a statutory remit to promote and monitor human rights; and to protect, enforce and promote equality across the nine "protected" grounds - age, disability, gender, race, religion and belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, sexual orientation and gender reassignment.

At the Equality and Human Rights Commission they believe that everyone should be treated fairly and with dignity.  Unfortunately this doesn’t always happen. According to a survey carried out for us in 2007, discrimination and disadvantage are still common across Britain. They don’t all have equal chances in life and some forms of discrimination are complex and deep-rooted. Sometimes people choose to ignore the rights of others even when this is against the law.  This is why the Equality and Human Rights Commission is here.

Government Equalities Office (GEO)

Government Equalities Office is a cross cutting Home Office unit, which has responsibility within Government for equality strategy and legislation. GEO takes the lead on issues relating to women, sexual orientation and transgender equality matters.

The Government's Equality Strategy sets out our vision for a strong, modern and fair Britain. It is built on two principles of equality – equal treatment and equal opportunity.  This means building a society where no one is held back because of who they are, or where they come from.

The Government Equalities Office has put together some useful guides for the public, employers, voluntary and community organisations, private clubs and other associations, businesses who provide goods and services and public services on the Equality Act 2010.

Implementation of the majority of the Equality Act will begin on 1 October 2010. Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know? is a series of summary guides and "Quick Start" guides to the key changes in the law, produced by the Government Equalities Office in partnership with the British Chambers of Commerce, Citizens Advice, ACAS and the Equality and Diversity Forum, to support implementation of the Act. These simple guides set out clearly what the new laws will mean for business, the public sector, the voluntary sector and the public, helping people understand their new responsibilities and rights in the work place and when providing or accessing goods or services.

Equality South West

 Equality South West support organisations in the South West to comply with the law, to improve their business or organisational outputs, and to do the right thing.

Over the last four decades, discrimination legislation has played an important role in helping to make Britain a more equal society. The Equality Act 2010 has been enforced by the Government to protect individuals from unfair treatment and to promote equality.

Their regional and local events and conferences are always very well attended. Attracting speakers from national, regional and local organisations, the events provide an opportunity for contacts across the South West to come and learn more about key developments in equality policy and legislation.

Local Government Improvement and Development

Local Government Improvement and Development (formerly the IDeA) supports improvement and innovation in local government, focusing on the issues that are important to councils and using tried and tested ways of working.

LG Improvement and Development work with councils in developing good practice, supporting them in their partnerships. They do this through networks, online communities of practice and web resources, and through the support and challenge provided by councillor and officer peers.

They also help develop councillors in key positions through our leadership programmes. Regional Associates work closely with councils in their areas and support the regional improvement and efficiency partnerships (RIEPs).

ACAS

ACAS stands for Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. We aim to improve organisations and working life through better employment relations. We help with employment relations by supplying up-to-date information, independent advice and high quality training, and working with employers and employees to solve problems and improve performance.

Whether you're an employer or an employee you can get free advice from this website or by calling our telephone helpline. Employers might also be interested in our more specialised services, including training, workplace projects, conciliation and mediation.