1. Where will equality be in 5 years time? Aileen McColgan, Matrix Chambers 7 th October 2015 Unite the Union, London #ierequality www.ier.org.uk

2. Equality in 2020: law and reality The legal position (if within the EU) Equality legislation (largely) fit for purpose underpinned by EU law: protected characteristics including disability (race including caste, sex, pregnancy and maternity, sexual orientation and married/ civilly partnered status, religion or belief, age etc) future of the PSED less certain – leave/ costs/ intervenors/ review additional protection of Human Rights Act 1998 less certain still how much does that matter?

3. Equality in 2020: law and reality Equality Acts 2006 & 2010 comprehensive harmonising clear(ish) transformative (PSED and positive action) But note Tory record even in coalition refusal to bring into effect socio-economic duty, dual discrimination repeal of third party harassment – “burdens on business” catastrophic changes to enforcement questionnaires recommendations vandalism of the EHRC fees

4. Equality in 2020: law and reality the legal position (if not within the EU) everything may be up for grabs not just equality legislation as such but protection of disadvantaged workers – part-time/ fixed-term/ agency workers enforcement – goodbye EHRC?

5. Equality in 2020: law and reality the reality zero-hours workers a “living wage”? trade union shackling further and deeper benefit cuts not simply welfare cap and changes to tax credits decimation of local authority services – thus further exacerbating inequality

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