Overall aim of today’s session:To bring delegates up to date with recent developments in the discrimination advice sector.

Session Objectives:

By the end of this 1.5hr session, delegates will:

Become informed of developments in discrimination advice provision;

Be able to analyse the impact of the developments for their advice service and clients;

Develop plans to meet gaps as relevant to their service

Order of session

Context and background

Current situation - including significant developments

The future?

Context & Background

Previously, discrimination advice was funded through:

EHRC - legal grants & S28 for strategic cases – over 70 agencies funded across UK

Legal Aid – General help & casework only

Local Authority – some level of availability

London Councils – Employment contracts

Trusts and charitable sector funding

The current situationChange in govt has resulted in new proposals and approaches – ideological shift. Wider reforms and Red tape. Reduction.

Equality Act 2010 – repeals and changes to Act

EHRC powers reduced and budget significantly reduced

Questionnaire procedure to go?

EHRC grants ceased march 2012

LASPOA 2012 was passed with very minor amendments from the original proposals

London Councils – consultation presently ongoing

Local Authority – reduced level of funding

Big Lottery – Advice Services Fund

The Future?From Sept 2012, GEO national discrimination helpline service – replaces EHRC helpline

Non legal enquiries only

Move away from litigation towards conciliation, arbitration and negotiation to resolve disc issues

Templates of legal documents made available on GEO website for self litigants

LCF will co-ordinate referrals for casework and representation from the helpline service

Other relevant developmentsBusiness & Enterprise Regulatory Reform Bill –

Main proposals include:

Introduction of tribunal fees

Removal of tribunal powers to make wider recommendations

Judges only sitting on EAT cases

The Future

Legal Aid & discrimination from April 2013

Employment out of scope

Compulsory telephone gateway

Discrimination will be low volume

The Future

London Councils

Consultation currently taking place on criteria – priorities identified as Homelessness, Domestic violence and 2nd tier support.

ImplicationsFor advice services:

Better referral and signposting for discrimination

Up to date information services for legal advice and representation

Pick up discrimination through other subject areas

Use European and Human Rights Law where possible

Look to international sources of funding such as EU

Monitor and keep track of unmet needs

Increase awareness raising and PLE

Increase our knowledge and understanding of Public Sector Equality Duties so that we may use them more effectively at a tool, at the early stage of decision making rather than in challenging decisions once they have been taken by the public body.

Implications for clients

Increased awareness of discrimination and legal rights – to better challenge at source

Competence and skills to effectively use existing complaints procedures

Raise awareness of others

Flora Williams

Equality & Diversity Manager

Law Centres Network

020 7842 0735 or

0759 0050 898

Flora@lawcentres.org.uk