{"id":1168,"date":"2026-06-11T17:08:11","date_gmt":"2026-06-11T17:08:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.equalityanddiversity.co.uk\/?p=1168"},"modified":"2026-06-11T17:08:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-11T17:08:12","slug":"what-would-happen-if-the-public-sector-equality-duty-or-equality-act-2010-were-scrapped","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.equalityanddiversity.co.uk\/index.php\/2026\/06\/11\/what-would-happen-if-the-public-sector-equality-duty-or-equality-act-2010-were-scrapped\/","title":{"rendered":"What Would Happen if the Public Sector Equality Duty or Equality Act 2010 Were Scrapped?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why Equality Protections Matter<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Over the past few years, there has been increasing debate about whether equality legislation and duties placed on public bodies should be reduced, reformed, or removed altogether. Two of the most significant frameworks that support fairness and inclusion in the UK are the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Supporters argue that these protections are essential safeguards against discrimination and inequality. Critics sometimes claim they create unnecessary bureaucracy or restrict decision-making.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But what do these frameworks actually do, why were they introduced, and what might happen if they were removed?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the Equality Act 2010?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Equality Act 2010 brought together more than 100 separate pieces of anti-discrimination legislation into a single legal framework.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It protects individuals from discrimination, harassment and victimisation based on nine protected characteristics:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Age<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Disability<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Gender reassignment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Marriage and civil partnership<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Pregnancy and maternity<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Race<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Religion or belief<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sex<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sexual orientation<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Act applies across employment, education, housing, public services, transport, and many other aspects of daily life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Its purpose is straightforward: to ensure that people are judged on their abilities, contributions and needs rather than prejudice, stereotypes, or personal characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What is the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED)?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Public Sector Equality Duty sits within the Equality Act 2010 and applies to public bodies such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Local authorities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>NHS organisations<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Schools and colleges<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Universities<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Government departments<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Police forces<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fire and rescue services<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The duty requires organisations to have due regard to the need to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol start=\"1\" class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Eliminate discrimination, harassment, and victimisation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Advance equality of opportunity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Foster good relations between different groups.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Importantly, the PSED does not require organisations to achieve identical outcomes for everyone. Instead, it requires decision-makers to consider how policies and decisions may affect different groups before those decisions are implemented.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Why Were These Measures Introduced?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Equality Act and PSED did not emerge in isolation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They were developed in response to decades of evidence showing that certain groups faced systemic barriers and unequal treatment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Examples included:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Disabled people being excluded from employment and public spaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Women experiencing discrimination in recruitment, promotion and pay.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ethnically diverse communities facing barriers in education, housing, and public services.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>LGBTQ+ individuals experiencing harassment and exclusion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Older people facing age-based assumptions and stereotypes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The legislation recognised that treating everyone exactly the same does not always produce fair outcomes when people start from quite different positions.<strong><br><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Benefits of the Equality Act and PSED<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Better Decision-Making<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The PSED encourages organisations to think through the consequences of their decisions before implementation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This can help identify unintended impacts and reduce costly mistakes, complaints, and legal challenges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Fairer Access to Services<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Equality considerations help ensure that services are accessible to everyone who needs them, including disabled people, older people, and those with different cultural or religious needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Improved Workplace Culture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Equality Act provides clear standards for employers, helping create workplaces where people feel safe, respected, and able to contribute fully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Economic Benefits<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Research consistently shows that diverse and inclusive workplaces benefit from wider talent pools, improved innovation, and stronger employee engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Social Cohesion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When people believe they will be treated fairly regardless of their background, trust in institutions and communities tends to increase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What Might Happen if the PSED Were Scrapped?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If only the Public Sector Equality Duty were removed, the Equality Act would still provide legal protection against discrimination.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, there could be significant consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Less Preventative Action<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The PSED encourages organisations to identify issues before harm occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without it, action may become more reactive, with problems only addressed after complaints or legal action.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Reduced Accountability<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Public bodies may be less likely to assess how major decisions affect different groups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This could result in unintended negative consequences for people who already experience disadvantage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Greater Risk of Unequal Outcomes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Budget cuts, service redesigns, and policy changes might proceed without systematic consideration of who may be disproportionately affected.<strong><br><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What Might Happen if the Equality Act Were Scrapped?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The consequences would be considerably more significant.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Without the Equality Act:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Protection against discrimination would be dramatically weakened.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Victims of unfair treatment would have fewer legal remedies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Employers would have less legal accountability.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Service providers could face fewer obligations to make reasonable adjustments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harassment protections could be reduced or fragmented.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Many of the rights currently taken for granted would no longer have a single, comprehensive legal framework supporting them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What Could This Mean for People with Protected Characteristics?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The impact would vary between individuals and sectors, but potential risks include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Disabled People<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reduced accessibility.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fewer reasonable adjustments.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Greater barriers to employment and education.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Women<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Weaker protections against discrimination and harassment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced accountability around equal opportunities.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Ethnic Minority Communities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fewer mechanisms to challenge discriminatory practices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reduced scrutiny of institutional decision-making.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>LGBTQ+ Communities<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Reduced protection from discrimination and harassment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Increased uncertainty regarding rights and protections.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Older and Younger People<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Greater exposure to age-based assumptions and exclusion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not every organisation would behave unfairly. Many employers and public bodies would continue to pursue inclusion because it aligns with their values and business objectives.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">However, legal protections exist because not all organisations or individuals act fairly all of the time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What About People Who Hold Biases or Misuse Power?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the key functions of equality legislation is to create safeguards where power imbalances exist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people do not intentionally discriminate. However, unconscious bias, stereotypes, organisational cultures, and unequal power structures can influence decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Without legal safeguards:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Individuals with discriminatory attitudes may feel less constrained.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Harmful behaviour may be challenged less consistently.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Victims may have fewer routes to seek redress.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Organisations may prioritise short-term convenience over long-term fairness.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The purpose of equality legislation is not to assume that everyone is biased. Rather, it recognises that human beings can make unfair decisions and that systems should include checks and balances to reduce that risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Equality Benefits Everyone<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A common misconception is that equality legislation only benefits people with protected characteristics.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In reality, equality protections create standards that benefit society as a whole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Most people will experience one or more protected characteristics at different stages of life. Many people will become disabled, grow older, become carers, experience pregnancy, or require adjustments and support at some point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Equality legislation helps create environments where everyone can participate, contribute and thrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty were introduced to address real and documented inequalities. While debates about reform and implementation are legitimate, any proposal to remove these protections should carefully consider the consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The PSED encourages public bodies to think before acting. The Equality Act provides legal protection when unfair treatment occurs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Together, they help create a society in which decisions are more transparent, opportunities are more accessible, and individuals are judged on merit rather than prejudice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question is not simply whether these frameworks create obligations. It is whether society is willing to remove safeguards that were designed to ensure fairness, accountability, and dignity for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"682\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/blog.equalityanddiversity.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-1-682x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1169\" srcset=\"https:\/\/blog.equalityanddiversity.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-1-682x1024.jpg 682w, https:\/\/blog.equalityanddiversity.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-1-200x300.jpg 200w, https:\/\/blog.equalityanddiversity.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-1-768x1152.jpg 768w, https:\/\/blog.equalityanddiversity.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/image-1.jpg 903w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 682px) 100vw, 682px\" \/><\/figure>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Why Equality Protections Matter Over the past few years, there has been increasing debate about whether equality legislation and duties placed on public bodies should be reduced, reformed, or removed altogether. Two of the most significant frameworks that support fairness and inclusion in the UK are the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-social-justice-and-advocacy-2"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>What Would Happen if the Public Sector Equality Duty or Equality Act 2010 Were Scrapped? - Equality and Diversity UK Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/blog.equalityanddiversity.co.uk\/index.php\/2026\/06\/11\/what-would-happen-if-the-public-sector-equality-duty-or-equality-act-2010-were-scrapped\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_GB\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Would Happen if the Public Sector Equality Duty or Equality Act 2010 Were Scrapped? - Equality and Diversity UK Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Why Equality Protections Matter Over the past few years, there has been increasing debate about whether equality legislation and duties placed on public bodies should be reduced, reformed, or removed altogether. 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