The Equality Act 2010 - changes in 2024 including Brexit-related codification

Abstract

This legislative note considers the widespread changes to the Equality Act 2010 which have been made or are set to be made in 2024. These are predominantly but not exclusively as a result of Brexit and the effect of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Act 2023 and see indirect effect give way to express statutory provisions. The breadth of the changes span: aspects of the definitions of direct discrimination, indirect discrimination, pregnancy and maternity discrimination and the protected characteristic of disability; the unlawful acts of discrimination (regarding discriminatory public statements) and harassment (introducing positive duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment of employees); changes to the equal pay provisions.