Equality Act 2010

Summary

Consolidates UK anti-discrimination law into a single statute. Protects against discrimination on grounds of nine protected characteristics including race (which includes ethnic origin, colour, nationality and national origins), religion or belief. Applies to employment, education, provision of services, and public functions.

Relevance to the diaspora

Tamil diaspora members in the UK can challenge workplace discrimination, hate crimes, and unequal treatment in public services based on Tamil ethnicity and/or Hindu/Christian religion; the public sector equality duty (s.149) requires authorities to consider the Tamil community's needs.

Key provisions

• s.4 — list of nine protected characteristics
• s.9 — race (includes ethnic origin)
• s.13 — direct discrimination
• s.19 — indirect discrimination
• s.149 — public sector equality duty

Primary source

Related entries

• → Human Rights Act 1998 (UK)
• → International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination (ICERD) 1965 (UN)