TUC public sector equality toolkit

The TUC has produced a new public sector equality duty toolkit which is available for download from:
http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-20159-f0.cfm
The toolkit includes:
- a brief overview of the new equality duty in s.149 of the Equality Act 2010 which requires public authorities and those carrying out public functions to have ‘due regard’ to equality in all that they do
- a section explaining what having ‘due regard’ to equality means in practice, drawing on case law decided under the former race, disability and gender equality duties
- an ‘FAQ’ section
- checklists for union negotiators when dealing with a public authority that is making a decision which will impact on equality and when negotiating implementation of the new duty
- a draft letter which can be adapted and sent to public bodies who are not intending to carry out equality impact assessments.  
The TUC has worked with John Halford of Bindman’s solicitors, who has successfully run public duties cases, and Barbara Cohen, independent discrimination law adviser, in developing this toolkit and we thank them for their contribution.  
We hope you find this toolkit useful and will circulate within your union. Please contact me if you are interested in having hard copies for distribution.
Best wishes,

Sally Brett

Senior Equality Policy Officer
TUC
Tel: 020 7467 1210