Single Equality Act introduced
October 2010
The Equality Act 2010 consolidates existing equality law into a single piece of legislation. It defines direct discrimination as less favourable treatment on the grounds of a protected characteristic and establishes indirect discrimination as the application of a provision, criterion or practice that is discriminatory in relation to a protected characteristic. The Act introduces a number of reforms, including: prohibiting employers from asking questions about health before offering a candidate a post; and provision to make regulations requiring employers with at least 250 employees to publish information relating to the differences in pay between mean and women (expected to come into effect in 2013). The Equality Act 2010 can be viewed on the OPSI website.
Increase of National Minimum Wage to £5.93 per hour
1 October 2010
The main rate of the National Minimum Wage rises from £5.80 per hour to £5.93 per hour and the development rate from £4.83 per hour to £4.92 per hour. The rate for workers aged 16 to 17 years increases from £3.57 to £3.64. The main rate will apply to 21-year-old workers. An apprentice rate of £2.50 per hour will apply to apprentices who are under 19 or those who are aged 19 and over but in the first year of their apprenticeship.
Maternity Pay is extended to 12 months
To be confirmed – probably October 2010
The Government intends to extend paid Maternity Leave to 12 months. This follows an extension to nine months from April 2007. The Work and Families Act (PDF format, 135k), which will bring this provision into force can be viewed on the OPSI website.