Equality: A New Framework: Report of the Independent Review of the Enforcemen

The need for a legislative framework for ensuring equality of opportunity is not seriously questioned in the UK. However, despite the presence on the Statute book of various significant pieces legislation dating back to the mid- 1970s, there remain deep-seated structural disadvantages which blight the lives of many women, Black and Asian people, and disabled persons. Barriers can also be found in public services, including the presence of institutionalized racism in the police, and in private sector organizations. There are also insistent demands for the extension of legislation to cover discrimination on other grounds such as religion, age and sexual orientation. Discriminatory behavior cannot be remedied by legislation alone, or simply by the actions of government, courts and tribunals and Commissions. Political and social leadership, customer and peer pressure, the development of good practices and campaigning all have a crucial part to play. Employers, trade unions, social organiza