Following a comprehensive consultation last year, the Equality
and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has today published its
strategic plan for 2025 to 2028.
Priorities for the next strategic period have been informed by
the views of more than 2,000 organisations and individuals across
Britain. Planned action has been prioritised where there is clear
evidence of need, and the EHRC has a unique contribution to make,
with a good prospect of creating positive change.
Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chair of the Equality and Human
Rights Commission, said:
“Today we are publishing our strategic plan which sets out the
direction of the EHRC, in addressing the most significant threats
to equality and human rights.
“From removing barriers preventing disabled people accessing
public transport to advising Parliament, Government and the
courts on equality law, our approach will be strategic and
agile.
“We know there are still challenges to achieving equality and
human rights improvements, and with limited resources we must
focus on where our work will deliver positive change.
“I want to thank everyone who responded to our consultation – it
has been a great tool in helping us prioritise our work.
“Our plan for the next three years prioritises work where the
EHRC will have most impact, making Britain a fairer place for
all.”
Addressing barriers faced by disabled people when accessing
public transport was ranked as a top priority by both
organisations and individuals that responded to the consultation.
This has been reflected in the final strategic plan.
Last year the National Centre for Accessible Transport found
almost all disabled people surveyed (92%) face barriers when
travelling. Barriers include badly designed and cluttered
streets, unreliable step-free access, and poor staff assistance.
These barriers create inequalities between disabled people and
non-disabled people.
Over the next three years, the EHRC has prioritised working with
service providers to ensure services such as public transport are
made more accessible, so everyone is able to participate actively
in society.
The consultation also found that individuals saw sexual
harassment and discrimination at work as a top priority needing
to be addressed.
The Worker Protection Act 2023 introduced a new obligation on
employers to take reasonable steps to protect their staff from
sexual harassment at work. Organisations must be tuned in to
their employees' concerns so that they can implement reasonable
steps using the EHRC sexual harassment at work guidance.
Racial and sexual harassment and discrimination in the uniformed
forces workforce will continue to be a priority over the next
three years. Part of this work will be to ensure those in the
uniformed services, and employers more widely, are aware of the
Worker Protection Act obligations and are taking reasonable steps
to prevent sexual harassment.
