26.03.13
Myth-busting equality guidance published for public authorities
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has published new guidance to help public authorities in England comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED).
The guidance offers clear advice on what the law requires and practical examples of best practice to direct resources to where the need is greatest, improving efficiency and effectiveness of public service delivery.
Meeting the PSED can achieve better value for money and improve outcomes for disadvantaged groups. Public authorities can use their purchasing power to promote equality and achieve wider social benefits, including training or employment opportunities to support disabled people into the workplace.
Dr Karen Jochelson, director of the Commission’s Economy and Employment Programme said: “There are a lot of myths about what organisations need to do to comply with the public sector equality duty and the amount of time and effort it involves. This guidance will help dispel some of the misconceptions by demonstrating what public authorities need to do as a basic minimum to ensure they comply with the law, as well as how they can take a best practice approach to using their procurement processes to improve equality outcomes.
“In developing this guidance, we have had extensive input from both procurement and equality professionals, to ensure that it is practical and user friendly. At its core, this is about providing goods and services in an innovative, cost effective and fair way to benefit both the organisations themselves and their customers.”
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