EQUALITY EXPERTS, BUSINESS AND UNIONS TO HELP MAKE BRITAIN FAIRER

The Government Equalities Office (GEO) today announced a new senior stakeholder group to support development of a new equality framework which will help make Britain a fairer and more equal place.

The group will provide advice to the GEO and its Ministers on how to further strengthen equality protection and to streamline the law.  This will include both those measures to be included in the Equality Bill and accompanying non-legislative measures.

Representatives from across the equalities spectrum are members of the group, as well as senior figures from trade unions and business organisations including the CBI, Equalities and Human Rights Commission, TUC and Press for Change.

Jonathan Rees, Director General of the GEO, will chair the group.  He said:

“I am delighted that we are pulling together such a strong, diverse and committed group.  The equality agenda is for everyone: individuals and society. 

“It is also the foundation of a strong, prosperous, modern economy and even more important in the current economic position that we harness the abilities of all individuals, whatever their background. 

“The Group also embodies the commitment made when presenting our proposals in June and July to continue to engage widely with stakeholders, and to draw on their experience as we finalise our plans.”

Media enquiries:

Please contact Lauren Starr on 0207 276 0932 / 07500 816959 or lauren.starr@cabinet-office.x.gsi.gov.uk

Notes for editors:

• The group will meet monthly, beginning in September until March 2009.

• The group will be supported by other working groups looking at specific aspects of the Equality Bill package (for instance, the shape of the new public sector duty, procurement, age).

• GEO will act as Secretariat to the group.

• The members of the Senior Stakeholder Group are

Jonathan Rees (Government Equalities Office) - Chair

Barney Leith	Religion & Belief Consultative Group
David Ruebain	Equality and Human Rights Commission
Diana Holland	UNITE
Dr Katherine Rake	The Fawcett Society
Gordon Lishman	Age Concern/Help the Aged
John Dodds	Department for Business Enterprise & Regulatory Reform
Jonathan Finney	Stonewall
Katja Hall	CBI
Koku Adomdza	The 1990 Trust
Liane Venner	Unison
Liz Sayce	RADAR
Lucy de Groot	IDeA (& LGA)
Alastair Henderson/Sian Thomas	NHS Federation
Prof. Stephen Whittle OBE	Press for Change
Sarah Spencer CBE	Equality and Diversity Forum
Sarah Veale	TUC
Stephen Alambritis	Federation Small Businesses
Stephen Haddrill	Association Of British Insurers
Una O’Brien	Department of Health
Tim Hopkins	Equality Network (Scotland)
David Harker	Citizens Advice

 

Biographies of the members can be found here.

• The purpose of this group is to provide strategic advice (and support) to the government Equalities Office and its Ministers on the full range of measures designed to strengthen equality protection and to streamline the law.  This will include both these measures to be included in the Equality Bill and accompanying non legislative measures.