Last week the government announced consultation on repeal of two more measures of the Equality Act 2010 and the National Union of Students published two reports – one on mature students in higher education, and another on racial hate crime in further and higher education.
Following a review of equalities legislation under the red tape challenge, the Government has launched a consultation seeking views on proposals to repeal two more measures from the Equality Act 2010. The Home Office has announced that they will proceed with the repeal of the socio-economic duty, and delay commencement of dual discrimination provisions and reasonable adjustments to common parts provisions. They are also proposing to remove the employer liability for the harassment of an employee by a third party and the power of Tribunals to make wider recommendations in a successful discrimination case.
The National Union of Students published two significant reports last week –
Never Too Late To Learn: Mature Students in Higher Education – This is a joint million+/NUS report which challenges long-standing myths about who participates in higher education in the UK. Contrary to the assumptions of many policy makers and politicians, nearly one in three undergraduates at UK universities are over the age of 21 when they start their first degree. This report exposes the limitations of funding regimes and social mobility strategies which assume that university is only for younger people with A-level grades.
No Place for Hate: race and ethnicity – This is the fourth in a series of research reports funded by the Home Office which analyses responses from over 9000 students across further and higher education. 18% of black students responding to an NUS survey on hate crime have been the victim of at least one racial hate incident during their current studies. The report calls on universities and colleges to take an active role in making campuses safer for potential targets of hate crime.
Have something to add? Write to Equality.and.Diversity@lse.ac.uk.
