Equality

• Council facing £5m equal pay bill

  Fife Council has been warned it could face a £5m bill from a new round of equal pay claims.

  

• Data on racial inequalities ‘inconsistent’, MPs say

  The collection of data regarding racial inequalities in public services is ‘inconsistent’, MPs have found.

  

• Gender pay gap: what next for councils?

  Mark Whitehead finds out why two London councils have signed up to a new scheme to help women climb the career ladder.

  

• Disabled people 'trapped' in unsuitable homes

  The equality commission has called for a national strategy to ensure disabled people have access to suitable housing as survey reveals only 7% of England’s housing stock meets minimum standards.

  

• Funding for new peer reviews of children's services

  The Government has announced a £8.5m programme to help councils work together to improve outcomes for disadvantaged children.

  

• Whitehall defends voter ID reform against accusations of ‘discrimination’

  The Government has defended its plans to require voters to produce ID when voting after watchdog warned reform may discriminate against ethnic minorities.

  

• Inequality holding back growth potential of places warns report

  Inequality is holding back the full growth potential of places, according to the results of the annual Vibrant Economy Index.

  

• Projects training women to be community leaders awarded £600,000

  Over £600,000 has been awarded by the Government to eight schemes, including projects that train women to become leaders in their communities.

  

• Gender pay gap data - treat with caution

  Mark Whitehead explains why the new gender pay gap figures reveal a somewhat more mixed picture of what is actually going on.

  

• Political parties must report ‘gender gap’, campaigners say

  Campaigners are calling on the Government to enact legislation to force political parties to report their 'gender gap' when it comes to election candidates.