← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Equality Act 2010: Impact on British Society
10 September 2025
Lead MP
Andrew Rosindell
Romford
Con
Responding Minister
Seema Malhotra
Tags
Defence
Word Count: 11066
Other Contributors: 11
At a Glance
Andrew Rosindell raised concerns about equality act 2010: impact on british society in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Repeal the Equality Act to return to a system where everyone is equal before the law without special treatment based on protected characteristics.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
The Equality Act 2010, passed in 2010, is alleged to have divided the country, fuelled grievance and undermined fairness. The Act has imprecise drafting such as its definition of race, which allows for racial segregation under certain circumstances. It has also created a culture of division and victimhood, with DEI training sessions and quotas.
Andrew Rosindell
Con
Romford
Acknowledged the debate's value, thanked contributors for their valid points, and specifically mentioned the importance of addressing caste discrimination highlighted by another MP.
Anna Sabine
LD
Frome and East Somerset
Supports the Equality Act as a landmark piece of legislation but notes the need for enforcement mechanisms and highlights gaps such as intersectionality and carers' rights.
Claire Coutinho
SNP
Croydon Central
Argues that protections against discrimination and harassment existed before the Equality Act 2010, and questions specific aspects of the Act such as public sector equality duty. Focused on the importance of real-world issues over internal focus and advocated for efficient public services rather than resource-draining diversity agendas.
Jim Allister
TUV
North Antrim
Noted that in Northern Ireland, additional rights applied through the protocol have been used to strike down pieces of legislation from Parliament. He emphasised the need for a single United Kingdom where all people are treated equally. Contributed with valid points similar to Mr Campbell’s on Northern Ireland and UK relations.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Encouraged existing legislation to protect minorities but raised concerns about Northern Ireland's separate equality laws. Emphasised the need for a pluralistic society where differences are respected.
Campbell
UUP
East Londonderry
Made valid points about Northern Ireland's division from the rest of the UK, opposing such division.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Agreed that legislative changes can attract those with malicious political agendas, using them to further their own causes rather than addressing genuine grievances.
Rebecca Paul
Con
Reigate
The hon. Member for Reigate highlights the impact of the public sector equality duty, arguing that it has become a powerful force distorting priorities and fuelling ideological dogma. Disagrees with the hon. Member for Romford's views, arguing that societal attitudes and norms are more powerful than legislation in achieving fairness and equality. She made powerful comments about public sector waste due to diversity culture, particularly in local government.
Seema Malhotra
Lab
Hull North
Discussed the progress made by the Equality Act and highlighted its objectives, including bringing together legislation, modernising language, and strengthening protections. Mentioned the rise in hate crime against Muslim and Jewish communities.
Anna Sabine
Discussed the need to be evidence-based regarding the public sector equality duty in Scotland.
Warinder Juss
Lab
Wolverhampton West
Acknowledges the Equality Act as pivotal for societal inclusivity but calls for its expansion to explicitly cover caste discrimination, addressing the UN High Commissioner's and EHRC's recommendations. Reports that nearly one in 10 respondents have experienced verbal abuse or missed promotions due to caste. Suggests that legislation reflecting changing social values prevents the return of social ills from the ’60s and ’70s, highlighting the importance of current equality laws. Questions whether current legislation provides adequate redress if someone is not treated equally under the law.
Government Response
Seema Malhotra
The Minister for Equalities
Government Response
Defends the Labour Government's Equality Act 2010, highlighting its consolidation of equal rights legislation and importance in protecting individuals from discrimination. Acknowledges underperformance among white working-class males but emphasizes the need to follow evidence-based approaches rather than culture wars.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.