Welsh Government should seek further powers over equality and human rights in Wales – says National Assembly committee
29 August 2013
The Welsh Government should seek further powers in the area of equality and human rights in Wales, according to a National Assembly for Wales Committee.
During its inquiry the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee heard of a divergence in approach to equality issues by the Welsh Government in comparison to England.
It also found that, while some areas of equality legislation regarding the public sector are devolved to Wales, laws made in these areas could automatically fall should the UK Government ever choose to repeal the Equality Act 2010.
The Committee is concerned about a proposed cut in funding for the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) at UK level and recommends that the Welsh Government should consider contributing its own funding, particularly to support EHRC’s monitoring and enforcement of equality duties in Wales.
It has also resolved to meet with EHRC annually for an update on its work and associated issues.
“The primary purpose in seeking further powers over equality and human rights issues in Wales is to protect the work already undertaken by EHRC, the Welsh Government and other associated organisations in eradicating prejudice and discrimination in Wales, and to recognise the diverging approach to these issues between Wales and England,” said Christine Chapman AM, Chair of the Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee.
“The Committee would like to see a stronger, more formal relationship between EHRC, the Welsh Government and the National Assembly has resolved to meet EHRC annually to consider its work.
“We also believe there is a case for the Welsh Government to fund the EHRC’s work in monitoring and enforcement of equality duties in Wales’s public sector.”
The Committee makes 8 recommendations in its report including:
The Welsh Government and Equality and Human Rights Commission in Wales should establish a Concordat or agreement to formalise their relationship on devolved policy areas;
The Welsh Government should consider funding specific Equality and Human Rights Commission work, especially around the monitoring and enforcement of the equality duties in Wales, and;
The Welsh Government should seek further powers in the field of equality and human rights to build on the Equality Act 2010 and the Human Rights Act 1998.