Sex discrimination

This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on sex discrimination. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.

Standard Notes

DateDescription
21.03.2013The Public Sector Equality Duty and Equality Impact Assessments
This note provides an overview of the public sector equality duty, contained in section 149 of the Equality Act 2010, and Equality Impact Assessments.
14.03.2013Insurance and discrimination laws: motor and travel insurance
This note outlines how the insurance industry operates within the law on discrimination, particularly with respect to age and sex discrimination.
18.12.2012All-women shortlists
This note looks at the background to the Sex Discrimination (Election Candidates) Act 2002 which allowed political parties to draw up all-women shortlists of candidates for elections; and its extension. It gives details of Labour candidates selected through all-women shortlists and methods of positive action used by the main political parties to increase the number of women MPs.
23.11.2011Women and the Afghan transition
There has been a lot of concern that Afghan women will be the main losers in the next few years as international forces withdraw and the Kabul government negotiates some sort of accommodation with the insurgency.
05.07.2011Asylum: Claims based on sexual identity
The Coalition Agreement pledged not to remove asylum seekers from the UK if they are at proven risk of persecution due to their sexual orientation or gender identification. The UKBA has since enhanced its guidance and training for asylum caseworkers on how to handle these types of asylum claim, but has been criticised for failing to monitor how the new approach is being implemented.

Research Papers

DateDescription
17.11.2005Equality Bill (HL) (Bill 85 2005-06)
Equality Bill (HL) (Bill 85 of 2005-06). House of Commons Library Research Paper 05/77
24.03.2005Equality Bill (Bill 72 of 2004/05)
The Equality Bill (Bill 72 of 2004/05). House of Commons Library Research Paper 05/28.

Select Committee Reports

DateDescription
12.07.2010Women in the City.
Government response. Treasury report [Commons]
22.03.2010Women in the City.
Treasury Select Committee report [Commons]

Early Day Motions

DateDescription
23.11.2011WORLD RECORDS IN MIXED RACES
That this House expresses deep concern that the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) from next year will only officially recognise world records from same sex races; ...
09.05.2011INTERNATIONAL DAY AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA AND TRANSPHOBIA
That this House welcomes the seventh annual International Day Against Homophobia and Transphobia on 17 May 2011; supports those local authorities, police, health authorities and voluntary ...
10.03.2011EQUAL PAY
That this House notes that equalising pay will give businesses proper access to the full range of talents available; is concerned that the latest Office of National Statistics figures ...
07.03.2011INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY 2011
That this House is proud to celebrate the 100th International Women's Day; notes the plight of ...
01.02.2011BRENDA NAMIGADDE
That this House is concerned by the imminent proposed deportation of Brenda Namigadde, who has claimed asylum because she fears persecution based on her sexuality; believes the atmosphere ...

Lords Library Notes

DateDescription
11.02.2013Succession to the Crown Bill (HL Bill 81 of 2012-13)
The Succession to the Crown Bill makes changes to the laws of succession to the Crown. This Library Note summarises the proceedings which have taken place on the Bill during its passage through the House of Commons, ahead of the Bill's second reading debate in the House of Lords on 14 February 2013.

Glossary

  • Research Papers (RP) - briefings produced by the House of Commons Library on Bills, topical issues and regular statistics
  • Standard Notes (SN) - shorter, topical briefings from the Commons Library
  • Early Day Motions (EDMs) - formal motions submitted by MPs in the House of Commons
  • POST Notes - short briefing notes produced by the Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology
  • Lords Library Notes (LLN) - papers compiled by the House of Lords Library on Bills and for debates in the Lords