profile ehrc uk - Equinet - European Network of Equality Bodies

Equality and Human Rights Commission – United
Kingdom (Last update on 15 January 2013)
Brief profile
Contact details
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Postal address: 3 More London, Riverside, Tooley Street, SE1 2RG London, UK
Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com
General email address: [email protected]
Helpline and telephone number: +44 0845 604 6610
For media enquiries: +44 (0) 20 3117 0255 (press office)
Overview
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an independent statutory body established
in 2007. It has a statutory remit to promote and monitor human rights; and to protect, enforce and
promote equality across the nine "protected" grounds – age, disability, gender, race, religion and
belief, pregnancy and maternity, marriage and civil partnership, sexual orientation and gender
reassignment.
Type of equality body
The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a predominantly promotion-type and legal support
body1.
* Reassignment of gender; pregnancy and maternity; and marriage and civil partnership.
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According to a European Commission study on Equality Bodies, predominantly promotion-type equality bodies “spend the bulk of their
time and resources on a broader mix of activities that include supporting good practice in organisations, raising awareness of rights,
developing a knowledge base on equality and non-discrimination, and providing legal advice and assistance to individual victims of
discrimination” (page 44).
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Detailed profile
Brief history
The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) is an independent statutory body established
under the Equality Act 2006. It was launched on 1 October 2007, following the merger of the
former Equal Opportunities Commission, Commission for Racial Equality, and the Disability Rights
Commission. The EHRC is the independent regulator for equality, human rights and good relations
in Britain. Our sponsor government department is the Government Equalities Office (GEO) (part of
the Home Office).
Mandate
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Powers: the Equality and Human Rights Commission is a predominantly promotion-type
and legal support body;
Litigation powers:
- Representing in front of courts;
- Bringing proceedings in its own name;
- Intervening before the courts;
- Intervening as amicus curiae;
- Advising central government about the effectiveness of any of the equality and
human rights enactments and to recommend amendment, repeal, consolidation etc.
of any of the equality and human rights enactments;
- Advising central or developed government about the effect of an enactment and the
likely effect of a proposed change of law;
- Issuing or revising a code of practice in connection with a matter addressed in the
equality enactments;
- Conducting an inquiry into any matter related to equality and diversity, human rights
or good relations between protected groups and report on its findings;
- Conducting an investigation where it suspects that the person has breached an
equality enactment, and serving an unlawful act notice;
- Entering into an enforceable agreement to stop acts of discrimination or breach of
public sector equality duty in lieu of an investigation, unlawful act notice or
compliance notice;
- Conducting an assessment of compliance with public sector equality duties and
serving a compliance notice for any breach;
- Applying to court for an injunction to restrain the commission of an unlawful act;
- Bringing proceedings in relation to discriminatory advertisements, instructions or
pressure to discriminate;
- Making arrangements for the provision of conciliation services for disputes which
could otherwise be litigated under one of the equality enactments.
* Reassignment of gender; pregnancy and maternity; and marriage and civil partnership;
** Associations Clubs or societies; Criminal and civil justice systems; Local government; Parliaments, politicians, and political parties;
Transport and travel.
Activities
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Promotional activities aimed at duty bearers (by way of trainings, guidance material, etc.);
Promotional activities aimed at potential victims (trainings, awareness raising, etc.);
Communication activities;
Publications and research projects;
Number of inquiries / complaints lodged and cases handled per year (in 2010/11):
- Over 50 000 calls to the helpline service;
- 22 000 e-mails and letters answered;
- 66 strategic legal actions and interventions;
- 157 pre-enforcement action;
- 59 cases referred for mediation to the Equality Mediation Service
Structure
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Management structure
• Type: collegiate headed equality body (led by a distinct board);
• Details: strategic direction is given by the Board of Commissioners led by the Chair. The
Board is responsible for approving the strategic plan, monitoring performance against the
plan and ensuring appropriate systems of governance, accountability and control. The
Commission has three statutory committees: Disability, Wales and Scotland. Day to day
management is conducted by the Senior Management Team and Chief Executive.
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Institutional structure
• Type: the equality body is part of a national human rights institution.
• Details:
- The EHRC has a dual role as NEB and NHRI;
- The EHRC works in conjunction with the Equality Commission for Northern Ireland,
the Scottish Human Rights Commission and the Northern Ireland Human Rights
Commission (NIHRC).
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Nomination of senior staff and board:
• Commissioners are recruited by open competition for a time limited period;
• Senior staff members are recruited by open competition.
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Number of staff:
394 (as of 1 January 2012)
Operating budget (for the parts of the organization dealing with equality issues)
Current budget for 2011-2012: 48.8 million pounds sterling (approximately 60 million €)
Accountability (reporting to)
Under the Equality Act 2006 the Commission is required to prepare a plan every three years
showing the Commission's activities in discharging its statutory functions. A copy of the plan is laid
before Parliament.
The Commission is also required to publish a report every three years on progress towards
equality under the Equality Act 2006. This report identifies changes in society relevant to equality
and human rights issues; it also identifies outcomes and indicators to monitor progress towards
equality. A copy of the plan is laid before Parliament.
The EHRC’s sponsor government department is the Government Equalities Office (GEO) (part of
the Home Office).
Contact details (address, key contact person, website)
Address:
Equality and Human Rights Commission
3 More London, Riverside, Tooley Street
SE1 2RG London, UK
Tel.: +44 0845 604 6610
Email: [email protected]
Key contact persons:
Jane Bevan (+44 (0)161 829 8242 or [email protected])
Website: www.equalityhumanrights.com