In England, Scotland and Wales, the Equality Act 2010 brought together and harmonised equality legislation.
Legislation in Northern Ireland is different and is principally from Section 75 of the Northern Ireland Act 1998.
Equality legislation across the UK protects staff and students with the following protected characteristics:
- Age: Find out more.
- Disability: Find out more.
- Gender reassignment: Find out more.
- Marriage and civil partnership: Find out more.
- Pregnancy and maternity: Find out more.
- Race: Find out more.
- Sex: Find out more.
- Sexual orientation: Find out more.
- Religion and Belief: Find out more.
Public sector equality duty
The Equality Act introduced a public sector equality duty in England, Scotland and Wales.
Performance of the specific duties in Scotland 2015
As part of the specific duties of the public sector equality duty, listed colleges and HEIs in Scotland were required to report on their progress by April 2015.