Equality and Human Rights Commission responds to consultation

The Equality and Human Rights Commission has issued its first response to the governments consultation on the Commission’s powers and duties. The Commission said it welcomes the opportunity to build on the achievements of its first three years, and to address the lessons of its start-up phase. However, it warns that some of the proposed changes are likely to lead to greater uncertainty and increased costs for public bodies and businesses; more litigation and less conciliation in discrimination cases; and the undermining of the government’s own new equality strategy.