National Assembly launches its Equality Scheme

The National Assembly for Wales has launched its Equality Scheme which sets out its approach to equality in its role as an employer and provider of services to Assembly Members, their staff and members of the public.

The Scheme brings together the Assembly’s duties in terms of disability, gender (including gender identity) and race but also extends to the other equality aspects of age, religion/belief and sexual orientation. An accompanying action plan details the steps we need to take to achieve our equality objectives and remove barriers to equality.

A consultation and involvement exercise was used to develop the Scheme and its supporting action plan. It will cover a period of three years from November 2008 until November 2011, after which it will be reviewed and updated.

Equalities Scheme 2008-11

A summary of the Scheme is also available in alternative formats and community languages upon request.

The Assembly’s Presiding Officer and Chair of the Assembly Commission said: “Our Equality Scheme demonstrates our wholehearted commitment to the respect and promotion of equality. I would like to thank everyone who contributed their views and ideas to the development of the Scheme and look forward to making progress in the areas we have identified and continuing our work with a best practice approach to equality”.