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<p>The Government is currently considering two issues which have developed and which
have potential implications for the consultation.</p><p>In February, the Equality
and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) published helpful research designed to inform the
introduction of new legislation on caste, as outlined in the July 2013 announcement.
However, that announcement said: ‘<em>...work will also be undertaken to determine
information about the extent of caste discrimination in Britain that can be used as
a comparative baseline for any future consideration of the effectiveness of caste
legislation.'</em></p><p>We had intended to reflect consideration of this work in
the public consultation process. However, further discussions between Government and
the EHRC about the research needed for it have revealed concerns that not only might
this be difficult to commission successfully, but it could be seen as intrusive and
might have an adverse effect on good relations in the relevant communities. We are
therefore considering how best to proceed with the consultation in the light of this.</p><p>Another
recent development is the judgment in the Employment Tribunal case of <em>Tirkey v
Chandok</em> which concluded that there is already legal protection against caste
discrimination through the race provisions of the Equality Act 2010. We need to review
recent case law to consider whether and how it may affect the way in which we implement
the legislation.</p><p>We would expect the public consultation document, including
our conclusions on these matters, to issue in the Autumn.</p><p> </p>
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