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<p>The public sector Equality Duty (PSED), at section 149 of the Equality Act 2010
(the Act), consists of a general duty which requires public bodies to consider the
key aims of eliminating discrimination, advancing equality of opportunity and fostering
good relations when designing policies and delivering services. It commenced in April
2011 and applies equally across Great Britain.</p><p>The PSED is underpinned by specific
duties which are set out in secondary legislation to provide a framework to help public
bodies meet the general duty. England, Scotland and Wales have taken different approaches
towards the specific duties. The Scottish and Welsh specific duties, which are determined
by the Scottish and Welsh Governments respectively in accordance with section 153(2)
and (3) of the Act, adopt a prescriptive approach that places particular requirements
on public bodies in respect of equal pay. The English specific duties, which aim to
increase transparency and accountability, enable more flexibility for public bodies
depending on their size and functions. However, guidance issued by the Government
on the English specific duties makes it clear that public bodies should consider any
equal pay issues affecting their workforce when reporting on their compliance.</p><p>The
Government has no current plans to change the specific duties. The Government appointed
an independent Steering Group in 2012 to review how the PSED was operating. The Steering
Group reported in September 2013 and concluded that it was too early to make a judgment
on the overall impact of the PSED and the effectiveness of the specific duties. The
Government accepted its recommendation that a further evaluation should be carried
out in 2016 as more time is needed to let the legislation bed down.</p>
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