Equality Act 2010

1 Public sector duty regarding socio-economic inequalities E+W+S

(1) An authority to which this section applies must, when making decisions of a strategic nature about how to exercise its functions, have due regard to the desirability of exercising them in a way that is designed to reduce the inequalities of outcome which result from socio-economic disadvantage.

(2) In deciding how to fulfil a duty to which it is subject under subsection (1), an authority must take into account any guidance issued [F1 in accordance with subsection (2A)].

[F2 (2A) The guidance to be taken into account under subsection (2) is—

(a) in the case of a duty imposed on an authority in relation to devolved Scottish functions, guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers;

[F3 (aa) in the case of a duty imposed on an authority in relation to devolved Welsh functions, guidance issued by the Welsh Ministers;]

(b) in any other case, guidance issued by a Minister of the Crown.]

[F4 (3) The authorities to which this section applies are—

(a) a Minister of the Crown;

(b) a government department other than the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service or the Government Communications Head-quarters;

(c) a county council or district council in England;

(d) the Greater London Authority;

(e) a London borough council;

(f) the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority;

(g) the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

(h) [F5 a Strategic Health Authority established under section 13 of the National Health Service Act 2006, or continued in existence by virtue of that section;]

(i) [F6 a Primary Care Trust established under section 18 of that Act, or continued in existence by virtue of that section;]

(j) [F7 a regional development agency established by the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998;]

(k) a [F8 police and crime commissioner] established for an area in England.]

[F4 (3) The authorities to which this section applies are—

(a) the Scottish Ministers;

(b) Food Standards Scotland;

(c) Keeper of the Registers of Scotland;

(d) National Records of Scotland;

(e) Revenue Scotland;

(f) Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service;

(g) a council constituted under section 2 of the Local Government etc. (Scotland) Act 1994;

(h) an integration joint board established under section 9(2) of the Public Bodies (Joint Working) (Scotland) Act 2014;

(i) a Health Board constituted under section 2(1)(a) of the National Health Service (Scotland) Act 1978;

(j) a Special Health Board constituted under section 2(1)(b) of that Act;

(k) Scottish Police Authority;

(l) Highlands and Islands Enterprise;

(m) Scottish Enterprise.]

[F9 (n) Scottish National Investment Bank p.l.c.;

(o) South of Scotland Enterprise.]

F10 (4) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

F11 (5) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(6) The reference to inequalities in subsection (1) does not include any inequalities experienced by a person as a result of being a person subject to immigration control within the meaning given by section 115(9) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 1(2) substituted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 38(3), 72(7)

F2 S. 1(2A) inserted (23.5.2016) by Scotland Act 2016 (c. 11), ss. 38(4), 72(7)

F3 S. 1(2A)(aa) inserted (1.4.2018) by Wales Act 2017 (c. 4), ss. 45(2), 71(4) (with Sch. 7 paras. 1, 6); S.I. 2017/1179, reg. 3(i)

F4 S. 1(3) substituted (S.) (1.4.2018) by The Equality Act 2010 (Authorities subject to the Socio-economic Inequality Duty) (Scotland) Regulations 2018 (S.S.I. 2018/101), regs. 1, 2(2)

F5 S. 1(3)(h) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 55(2), Sch. 5 para. 181(a); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F6 S. 1(3)(i) omitted (1.4.2013) by virtue of Health and Social Care Act 2012 (c. 7), s. 55(2), Sch. 5 para. 181(b); S.I. 2013/160, art. 2(2) (with arts. 7-9)

F7 S. 1(3)(j) repealed (1.7.2012 at 0.02 a.m.) by Public Bodies Act 2011 (c. 24), s. 30(3), Sch. 6; S.I. 2012/1662, art. 2(2)(b)

F8 Words in s. 1(3)(k) substituted (22.11.2012) by Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 (c. 13), s. 99, Sch. 16 para. 381; S.I. 2012/2892, art. 2(a)(i)

F9 S. 1(3)(n)(o) inserted (26.11.2020) by The Scottish National Investment Bank p.l.c. and South of Scotland Enterprise (Miscellaneous Listings) Regulations 2020 (S.S.I. 2020/403), regs. 1, 2(2)

F10 S. 1(4) omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 100(2)(g), 115(3)(k)

F11 S. 1(5) omitted (26.5.2015) by virtue of Deregulation Act 2015 (c. 20), ss. 100(2)(g), 115(3)(k)

Commencement Information

I1 S. 1(1)-(3)(6) in force at 1.4.2018 for S. by S.S.I. 2017/403, art. 2(1)(a)(2) [Editorial note: art. 2(2) of the commencement order provides that, for the avoidance of doubt, s. 1(3) is commenced as originally enacted]