A survey of all 774 judges sitting in English and Welsh courts found that 67 per cent went to public school and 60 per cent attended Oxford or Cambridge universities. Only 8 per cent are women, while fewer than 1 per cent are from an ethnic minority group.
Source: Labour Research, December 2002, Labour Research Department (020 7928 3649)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
A report examined the visions and objectives which a single equality body might pursue, and the principles of equality which should inform policy decisions.
Source: Sandra Fredman, The Future of Equality in Britain, Equal Opportunities Commission (0161 833 9244)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-Dec
The Equal Opportunities Commission published a seven-point list of goals for equality of women and men in 2003 - at home, at work, in old age, in politics, in education, in public services and under the law.
Source: Press release 30.12.02, Equal Opportunities Commission (0161 833 9244)
Links: Press release
Date: 2002-Dec
An Audit Commission report asserted a strong business case for greater diversity in the public sector: public sector services need to develop a more diverse workforce in line with recent legislative changes, and to be able to provide more appropriate services to an increasingly diverse population with varying needs.
Source: Directions in Diversity: Current opinion and good practice, Audit Commission (0800 502030)
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf) | Press release
Date: 2002-Nov
A government consultation document considered the contribution of equality institutions to making equal opportunities a reality and to promoting equality and diversity across society; and set out a range of options for future structures for these institutions, including a single equality commission. A second consultation document outlined proposed changes in the law to implement European anti-discrimination directives relating to employment.
Source: Equality and Diversity: Making it Happen, Department of Trade and Industry (0870 150 2500) | Equality and Diversity: The Way Ahead, Department of Trade and Industry
Links: Making it Happen | Way Ahead (rtf) | Way Ahead: Summary (pdf) | Index to draft regulations | ODPM press release
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/3, Digest 123, paragraph 7.2
Date: 2002-Oct
A report assessed the impact of the Welsh Assembly Government's duty to have due regard to equality in its devolved functions.
Source: Paul Chaney and Ralph Fevre, An Absolute Duty: Equal Opportunities and the National Assembly for Wales, Institute of Welsh Affairs (029 2057 5511), Disability Rights Commission, Commission for Racial Equality and Equal Opportunities Commission
Links: Report (pdf) | Summary (pdf)
Date: 2002-Sep
Researchers examined the strategic approaches adopted by selected public sector organisations to promote gender equality, and the case for a public sector duty to do so.
Source: Karen Escott and Dexter Whitfield, Promoting Gender Equality in the Public Sector, Equal Opportunities Commission (0161 838 8340)
Links: Report (pdf) | Abstract
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 31/1, Digest 121, paragraph 11.1
Date: 2002-Sep
The weekly median total individual income for all women in 2000-01 was 133, slightly less than half of that for all men ( 271), according to official figures. The weekly median total individual income for women in working age couples with children was only 35 per cent of that for men.
Source: Individual Incomes of Men and Women 1996/97 to 2000/01, Women and Equality Unit/Cabinet Office (020 7273 8880)
Links: Report (pdf links) | Summary (pdf)
See also: Journal of Social Policy Volume 30/3, Digest 119, paragraph 11.5
Date: 2002-Jul
An audit report criticised slow progress by local authorities on improving equality and diversity.
Source: Equality and Diversity: Learning from Audit, Inspection and Research, Audit Commission (0800 502030)
Links: Report (pdf)
Date: 2002-May
The government began consultation on proposals to merge the three main equality commissions (Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission, and Equal Opportunities Commission) into a single body.
Source: Press release 15.5.02, Cabinet Office (020 7261 8527)
Links: Cabinet Office press release
Date: 2002-May