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Cuts threaten equalities work

16 July 2010

Responding to news of further cuts in the Equality and Human Rights Commission, PCS vice president Sue Bond said:

"We do not accept the need for these cuts, which will threaten the EHRC's s ability to advise the public on their rights at work, and to identify or take action against employers who discriminate.

"The commission's budget has already been slashed by a quarter, with more to come over the next three years. This will leave it unable to function as a regulatory body.

"No country in the world has more advanced equalities legislation, but this is merely words on paper without a robust, properly funded, authoritative body to enforce the law.

"The EHRC’s experienced teams who work in our communities are also under threat. This makes no sense, given the new government's ‘localism’ agenda means local authorities would have to pick up more work on community cohesion.

"If the implications of these cuts are not thought through, the secretary of state could well face difficulties with other ministers, small businesses, local authorities and the voluntary sector."

 

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