News Page
This page contains headlines that may be of interest, with links to the relevant articles where possible. The most recent headlines are first.
March 2006
- LGBT Equality in the Workplace
- A TUC Guide for Union Negotiators on lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans issues Updated advice for unions on all workplace issues for LGBT workers, taking into account recent legal changes, along with advice on monitoring. http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-11663-f0.cfm
December 2005
- Civil partnership comes into force today - 5th December
- Announcement from the Women and Equality Unit.
November 2005
- older workers could face reduced statutory redundancy payments
- New rules against age discrimination are welcome, but the TUC is warning that older workers could face reduced statutory redundancy payments if the Government decides to reduce awards to the levels currently paid to younger workers. More on this at http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-10973-f0.cfm
- Equality Bill has been changed to give lesbians and gay men protection from discrimination
- Lord Alli's goods and services amendment to the Equality Bill will ensure that lesbians and gay men can no longer be turned away or refused services by companies that discriminate against gay people as customers. More on this from http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-10958-f0.cfm.
September 2005
- Launch of civil partnership publicity campaign
- The Government has today launched a publicity campaign to raise awareness about the introduction of civil partnership in December. To read the press notice for this go to http://www.gnn.gov.uk/environment/detail.asp?ReleaseID=169946&NewsAreaID=2&NavigatedFromDepartment=False
A booklet giving information about how to register a civil partnership and the main rights and responsibilities of registering, will be distributed widely. To download a copy of this booklet go to the WEU website:
http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/civilpartnership.htm - Women and Equality Unit publishes information for people who claim income related benefits.
- From 5 December, 2005, the income of a cohabiting same-sex partner will be taken into account when calculating entitlement to income related benefits. To view this information go to:
http://www.womenandequalityunit.gov.uk/civilpartnership/incomebenefits.htm
August 2005
- Gay clergy within the Church of England are reportedly planning to defy the body's call for celibacy among same-sex civil partnerships.
- According to The Telegraph, a number of clergy who are planning on taking advantage of the new civil partnership laws, which come into effect in December, have no intention of remaining celibate and not having sex with their partners. Read more at Rainbow Network.
July 2005
- Spain approves gay marriages
- The lower house of parliament in Spain has voted in favour of allowing gay couples to marry and adopt children. Read more on the BBC website
- Draft Regulations to Outlaw Age Discrimination
- The Government publishes Coming of Age consultation documents and draft regulations to end age discrimination in the workplace. Forced retirement before the age of 65 and age discrimination in recruitment, promotion and training will be banned. Employers will also have to consider requests from their employees to work after the age of 65. More from the Age Positive Web Site.
- State Pension Deferral
- People who choose to delay their state pension can take a lump sum payment, or receive higher weekly pension payments. More from the Age Positive Website
- True gay equality still some way off, says TUC
- Gay people deserve the same kind of protection from discrimination and prejudice outside work as they now get whilst doing their jobs, says the TUC as it calls for the law to be changed to give lesbians and gay men true equality in every aspect of their lives. Read more at http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-10137-f0.cfm
June 2005
- Women - Tax Credits & Pensions
- The North West TUC is holding a Women's Conference on the 20th July. The theme of the conference is "Tax Credits & Pensions". Read more at http://www.tuc.org.uk/equality/tuc-10018-f0.cfm
- Age legislation is coming soon
- Do not be left behind. Get ready now. That is the message from the Age Partnership Group and Be Ready national guidance campaign to help businesses change the way they work, ahead of new legislation to end age discrimination. The campaign has begun with a newsletter distributed to 1.4 million employers throughout England, Scotland and Wales. Visit the website for a copy of the newsletter and information on age issues, hard facts, legislation and top tips. http://www.agepositive.gov.uk/agepartnershipgroup/
- State Pension Deferral
- People who choose to delay their state pension can take a lump sum payment, or receive higher weekly pension payments. Age Positive Website
March 2005
- Powerful Equality and Human Rights Body on the way (March 3rd)
- A radical new body with powers to tackle discrimination and prejudice and put equality at the heart of modern Britain is set out in the Government's Equality Bill. Age Positive website
- Retirement ages are increasingly outmoded says Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (March 2nd).
- Age Positive website
- Parliamentary questions and answers: DTI's own policy towards age discrimination. Encouraging older workers into employment. Civil service retirement ages. (March 2nd)
- Age Positive website
February 2005
- Civil Partnerships before Christmas 2005
- The landmark Civil Partnership Act will be brought into force on 5 December this year. Any couple wishing to form style="font-size: smaller;" a civil partnership will be able to give notice of their intention to register at a Register Office from that date. Women and Equality Unit
- LGBT History Month
- Jacqui Smith, has written an open letter to LGBT groups supporting and endorsing the month and Amnesty International UK have committed to participate in events planned for the month. Jacqui Smith has endorsed the month, in a letter sent to LGBT groups nationwide. Jaqui Smith's letter
- European Commission wants to hear about your good practice in workplace age diversity. (February 25th)
- A project funded through the Community Action Programme to combat discrimination aims to help businesses and employers develop effective diversity policies. One of the tools being developed is a compendium of good practices that illustrate the business case for diversity. The European Commission now invites contributions from companies, and in particular small and medium sized enterprises, operating within the EU. Age Positive website
- New rights and obligations under European anti-discrimination legislation. (February 8th)
- The European Community is working to combat discrimination on the grounds of racial or ethnic origin, religion or belief, disability, age and sexual orientation. Age Positive website
January 2005
- Age Partnership Group publishes review of age products. (January 24th)
- The Review of Age Products finds that the number of guidance products to promote good practice around age diversity and discrimination is very small - fewer than twenty were identified. wwww.agepositive.gov.uk
- Making choices about retirement. (January 4th)
- Legislation covering age discrimination in employment and vocational training will be in place by the end of 2006. It will be unlawful for employers to require someone to retire before 65 unless they can objectively justify it. The legislation creates a default retirement age of 65, but also creates a right for employees to request working beyond a compulsory retirement age which employers will have a duty to consider. http://www.agepositive.gov.uk/newsdetail.cfm?sectionID=44&newsid=512