Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Protected Characteristics: Caste

Wednesday 23 September 2020 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Bob Blackman asked about the Government's plan to remove caste as a protected characteristic from the Equality Act 2010.
  • The Minister clarified that caste is not currently a protected characteristic in the Equality Act 2010.
  • The Government remains committed to repealing the duty related to caste as soon as possible.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Women & Equalities
Context

Bob Blackman references a written statement from July 23, 2018, HCWS898, discussing the removal of caste as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010. He is concerned about the implementation of this proposal.

Question

With reference to the written statement of 7/23/2018, HCWS898, when does she plan to bring forward proposals to remove caste as a protected characteristic from the Equality Act 2010?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I would like to make it clear that caste is not a protected characteristic in the Equality Act 2010. Case law has shown that a claim of caste discrimination may already qualify for protection under the race provisions in the Act. We therefore intend to repeal the uncommenced duty in the Act to make caste an explicit aspect of race discrimination as soon as practicable.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or proposals on when and how the removal will be implemented.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)

Q2 Bob Blackman Con Harrow East
Women & Equalities
Context

Following previous consultations, Bob Blackman urges the government to act on removing caste as a protected characteristic under the Equality Act 2010.

Question

I welcome my hon. Friend to her place to answer my regular questions on this particular topic. The fact is that we have had a large-scale consultation of the community. We have had a written ministerial statement making it clear that we are going to remove this protected characteristic from the Equality Act. So I urge her to bring forward, without delay, proposals to remove this unnecessary, ill-thought-out and divisive move in the Equality Act 2010.

Answer from Kemi Badenoch

I thank my hon. Friend for that question. We do agree with him. The Government completely oppose any discrimination because of a person's origins, including any perception of their caste, and we do remain committed to repealing the duty as soon as the opportunity arises.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide specific proposals or timeline for removing caste from protected characteristics.

Was this summary accurate? Tell us

How accurate was this summary? (1 = poor, 5 = spot on)