Kemi Badenoch, leader of the Conservative Party, is set to announce plans to scrap the Public Sector Equality Duty, aiming to refocus public services on their core responsibilities.
The Conservative Party is set to announce a significant overhaul of the Equality Act, with leader Kemi Badenoch proposing to scrap the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED). This move comes amid growing debate over the impact of equality laws on public services, particularly in light of recent controversies.
The PSED requires public sector workers to consider how their decisions might affect people with different protected characteristicsincluding age, sex, sexuality, religion, and race. Badenoch argues that this duty has become a legal minefieldexposing public decisions to excessive legal challenges.
Controversy Surrounding Henry Nowak’s Murder
The announcement follows a heated political row over the police response to the murder of Henry Nowak in Southampton last December. The 18-year-old student was handcuffed by police officers who ignored his pleas for help as he lay dying, after his killer, Vickrum Digwaclaimed to have been the victim of a racist attack.
Badenoch will argue that the PSED has fueled a culture of dividing people into competing identity groups and has created a bureaucracy focused on box-ticking rather than effective service delivery. She will cite a recent court case where prison officials were found to have breached their duty by disproportionately affecting Muslims convicted of Islamic terrorism, potentially making these terrorists eligible for compensation.
Conservative Party’s Stance on Equality Laws
The Conservatives claim that the PSED has diverted public services from their primary duties. Claire Coutinhoshadow minister for equalities, stated, “The Conservatives believe in judging people by the content of their character, not the colour of their skin.” She emphasized the need to remove identity politics from public life and refocus on common sense and fairness.
The party also pointed to the Bank of England’s consultation to replace images of public figures like Sir Winston Churchill on banknotes with wildlife as an example of the same government culture. They argue that Badenoch’s approach will ensure public servants are focused on their core responsibilities rather than equality law.
Reactions from Other Political Parties
Badenoch’s plans aim to strike a balance between the approaches of Labour and Reform UK. Labour has introduced new equality duties in their Employment Rights Actwhile Reform UK proposes scrapping the Equality Act altogether. Ameer Kotechachief executive of the Centre for Government Reformsupported the scrapping of the PSED, stating that it has warped Whitehall and turned recruitment into a box-ticking exercise.
Meanwhile, Keir Starmer and Nigel Farage clashed over the issue of two-tier policing during prime minister‘s Questions (PMQs). Starmer condemned Farage’s approach, emphasizing the need for calm and unity in the wake of Henry Nowak’s murder. The National Police Chiefs’ Council (NPCC) is reviewing its anti-racism guidance to ensure clarity and avoid ambiguity.
The debate over equality laws continues to spark intense discussions across the political spectrum, with significant implications for public services and societal values.
