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Last Updated: Tuesday, 5 July 2005, 13:01 GMT 14:01 UK

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Equality Bill

AIM

This bill establishes a single Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) and makes religous discrimination illegal.

MAIN PROVISIONS

BILL'S PROGRESS

Responsible department: Dept for Trade & Industry

Origin: House of Lords

Introduced: 18 May 2005

Second reading: 15 June 2005

Committee stage: 6,11,13 & 18 July 2005

Report stage: 19 Oct 2005

Third reading: 9 Nov 2005

Consideration of Commons Amendments: 13 Feb 2006

COMMONS:

First reading: 11 Nov 2005

Second reading: 21 Nov 2005

Committee stage: 29 Nov & 1, 6 & 8 Dec 2005

Remaining stages: 16 Jan 2006

ROYAL ASSENT: 17 Feb 2006

The new commission will act as a single point of contact to oversee existing anti-discrimination legislation

It closes a loophole to prevent discrimination against Jews and Sikhs - although not specifically against multi-ethnic religous groups

Introduces a "gender duty" on organisations to eliminate sexual discrimination and to promote equality of opportunity between men and women

BACKGROUND

The legislation emanates from the 2003 consultation paper 'Equality and Diversity: Making it Happen'.

The single CEHR replaces the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality and the Disability Rights Commission and will have a duty to promote human rights.

The separate commissions will enter in phases - after the chair and commissioners have been appointed in 2006 - until they are all incorporated by 2008/09.