STORY
Kemi Badenoch has pledged that a future Conservative Government would repeal the Public Sector Equality Duty, arguing that public services have become too focused on identity politics. The duty, introduced as part of the Equality Act 2010, requires public bodies to consider how their decisions affect people with protected characteristics.
Badenoch said the rule had pushed public bodies away from common sense and made officials overly cautious in areas such as policing, safeguarding and public administration. She also criticised identity-based staff networks in Government and argued that public services should focus on outcomes rather than what she described as divisive internal politics.
The proposal has been strongly criticised by Labour, trade unions and equality campaigners, who argue that the duty is a safeguard against discrimination and poor decision-making. The row is likely to intensify the Conservative Party’s attempt to draw sharper dividing lines with both Labour and Reform UK on culture, policing and public sector reform.