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Colleagues may have seen some correspondence about the Red Tape Challenge - thanks to those who spotted this hazard.  In case others did not open the pdf file, I'm taking the executive decision to recirculate this in the full text message below, as I feel this is too important to risk being left unread! Please pass it on!
 
Mark R D Johnson
Director, MSRC/CEEHD
De Montfort University
Moderator, [log in to unmask]
 

DO YOU SUPPORT THE EQUALITY ACT 2010? IF SO – SAY SO! The Redtape Challenge website – action required The Government’s Redtape website was launched last week –

 

www.redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/equalities/

 

 

There you will read the following:

 

Equality regulations are designed to help ensure fairness in the workplace and in wider society. They include regulations and laws on discrimination and harassment.

You can find the Equality Act 2010 here

Tell us what you think should happen to this Act and why, being specific where possible:

·           Should they be scrapped altogether?

·           Can they be merged with existing regulations?

·           Can we simplify them – or reduce the bureaucracy associated with them?

·           Have you got any ideas to make these regulations better?

·           Do you think they should be left as they are?

 

This website is supposed to allow people the opportunity to comment on unnecessary regulations. However the approach taken in relation to the Equality Act 2010 is different from the approach taken to all the other areas currently under consideration in that, instead of referring to specific regulations, the website appears to invite people to comment on the Equality Act 2010 itself and whether it should be scrapped. Unsurprisingly although there are some excellent responses that make it clear that the Equality Act is primary legislation and not a series of regulations, there are also uninformed and hostile responses.

 

What needs to be done – URGENTLY · Go to the website and write your views on the Equality Act; · encourage others to respond before the end of what may be a two week deadline (see process information) – looks like the deadline for comments could be Wednesday, 20/4/11; · ask people to note that the Equality Act is primary legislation not a regulation; · ask people to highlight how improper this process is, given that ostensibly people are being asked to comment about regulations but the entire Equality Act 2010 appears to have been put up for grabs; · ask people to comment positively about the Act and the regulations.

 

Thanks to the Discrimination Law Association and Jennifer Downie (a MEH jiscmail group member) for alerting us to this!