The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip Jane Hutt has today published a consultation seeking views on how public bodies in Wales can better address inequalities.
This was published under the 2016 to 2021 administration of the Welsh Government
The Socio-Economic Duty, a requirement of the Equality Act 2010, aims to ensure relevant public bodies consider the impact their key decisions have on addressing the inequalities which impact on a person’s access to both material and social resources i.e. employment, education, transport.
Before the Welsh Government commences the Duty, it is asking members of the public and key stakeholders for their views on a number of aspects, including which public bodies should be captured by the duty and clarification on how it is delivered.
Once commenced, the Duty will guide the specified public bodies on how their decisions, such as their strategic priorities and objectives, can help to reduce inequalities associated with socio-economic disadvantage.
Deputy Minister and Chief Whip Jane Hutt said:
The launch of this consultation marks a crucial step in our work to safeguard equality and human rights in Wales.
Commencing the Duty gives us an opportunity to do things differently in Wales, putting tackling inequality at the heart of strategic decision-making. This will build on the good work public bodies are already doing to tackle inequality and ensure they hold due regard to socio-economic disadvantage as part of their work.
I’d urge anyone interested, whether you’re an organisation or individual, to respond to the consultation to help us make a more equal Wales for all.