| A message from Disability Rights UK on the Government’s decision to abolish equality impact assessments |
Disability Rights UK is appalled at the Prime Minister’s announcement to abolish equality impact assessments. The public sector equality duty is an important safeguard to ensure that decision-makers do not discriminate against disabled people.
Equality impact assessments help to develop and deliver policies and services that work for everyone. Far from being a tick box exercise, they are a useful way to highlight potential barriers and to identify effective solutions. Without equality impact assessments public bodies are more likely to make bad decisions that cost a lot of money in the long run. For examples of how equality impact assessments make a positive difference, go to http://www.radar.org.uk/publications/lights-camera-action/.
The Government is currently reviewing the public sector equality duty with a report expected in spring 2013. We call on the Prime Minister not to prejudge the outcome of the review.
The Autism Centre 