We need a commitment from the government that age will be fully included

Tessa Harding Help the Aged

Mrs Roche says it is not possible to have six commissions dealing with six separate strands of discrimination, including race, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age and disability.

But some campaigners fear the shake-up could mean their ability to bring about change will be diluted if they have to operate through a single body.

'Fear'

Mrs Roche will tell a conference in London that a "major culture change" is needed if a real shift towards equality is to be achieved in Britain.

A review of the role a single body could play will be completed within six months, with firm proposals to be revealed in the autumn.

Barbara Roche wants to involve people who feel they cannot get help

Mrs Roche told BBC Radio 4's Today programme that doing nothing was not an option, especially with the new laws on age, religion and sexual orientation.

The minister believes new ways are needed to involve those who think the current equality machinery does not help them.

That could include employers who were reluctant to seek advice for fear of being reported.

Mrs Roche added: "If you are a woman with a disability and you are facing disadvantage in employment, is that because you are a woman or because you have a disability."

'Rarely noticed'

Disabled rights campaigners fear the loss of the Disability Rights Commission (DRC) would affect their battle for equality.

DRC chairman Bert Massie said: "A single commission might work to the advantage of all and be a tremendous opportunity to tackle multi-discrimination, but it should not precede a single Equality Act."

Tessa Harding, head of policy for Help the Aged, said a single commission could hinder the "catching up" still needed over age discrimination.

She said: "Age discrimination, at work and elsewhere, is very widespread, and so taken for granted that it is rarely even noticed.

"We need a commitment from the government that age will be fully included in a single commission."