Meers, Jed orcid.org/0000-0001-7993-3062 (2024) Enacting the Socio-Economic Duty:Inequalities of outcome and section 1 Equality Act 2010. The Journal of Poverty and Social Justice. ISSN 1759-8273
Abstract
The first section of the landmark Equality Act 2010 has been lying dormant for 14 years. The ‘public sector duty regarding socio-economic inequalities’ – passed by the Labour Government in 2010 – was never brought into force in England by the Conservative-led coalition that replaced them. The new Labour Government has committed to its resurrection. Drawing on evidence from Scotland and Wales, where the ‘socio-economic duty’ has been in force since April 2018 and March 2021 respectively, this article offers three reflections for policymakers and those who will be tasked with its implementation in England: the promise of its ‘holistic’ incorporation into Equality Act 2010 impact assessment processes, the ongoing necessity for support with evidence collection and data sharing, and the duty’s potential as a catalyst for broader organisational change far beyond a strict interpretation of its legal remit. Although (very) far from a panacea, if coupled with well-executed guidance, training and oversight, its commencement could help to encourage greater consideration and transparency of evidence on socio-economic inequalities in key areas of public sector decision-making.
Metadata
Item Type: | Article |
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Authors/Creators: |
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Copyright, Publisher and Additional Information: | © Author 2024 |
Dates: |
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Institution: | The University of York |
Academic Units: | The University of York > Faculty of Social Sciences (York) > The York Law School |
Depositing User: | Pure (York) |
Date Deposited: | 04 Dec 2024 12:30 |
Last Modified: | 13 Mar 2025 05:31 |
Published Version: | https://doi.org/10.1332/17598273Y2024D000000032 |
Status: | Published online |
Refereed: | Yes |
Identification Number: | 10.1332/17598273Y2024D000000032 |
Open Archives Initiative ID (OAI ID): | oai:eprints.whiterose.ac.uk:220467 |
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Description: Enacting the socio-economic duty: inequalities of outcome and section 1 Equality Act 2010
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