Race Equality Duty

In 2001, the Race Relations Act was amended to give public authorities a new statutory duty to promote race equality. The aim of this duty is to help public authorities provide fair and accessible services, and to improve equal opportunities in employment.

The general duty applies to most public authorities and it requires them to:

• eliminate unlawful racial discrimination;
• promote equality of opportunity between persons of different racial groups, and;
• promote good relations between persons of different racial groups

The duty also requires many authorities to produce and publish their Race Equality Scheme, which sets out how they will achieve the above objectives.