EHRC responds to European Union Withdrawal Bill
Equality and Human Rights Commission
Equality and Human Rights Commission Chair David Isaac has commented on the publication of the European Union Withdrawal Bill.
We have been clear there must be no rowing back on people’s rights after we leave the European Union. Rights derived from the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, including important protections for children and older people, must be preserved for UK citizens. This Bill provides a golden opportunity to set out a positive vision of a fair Britain that values equality and human rights. We will be recommending amendments that make the Government’s commitment to retaining the Equality Acts 2006 and 2010 explicit on the face of this Bill, and to introduce a constitutional right to equality against which all laws and government action must be tested. It is vital that Parliament can properly scrutinise any future changes to laws that are fundamental to our rights and this important task must not be left solely in the hands of Ministers.
