NEC will campaign for the completion of the Equality Bill before the next General Election as motion 41 was carried.
The Equality Bill will extend anti-discrimination to the provision of goods, facilities and services, as well as offering further protection against discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation. The Equality Council, who submitted the motion, warned that it is likely to fall unless passed by the current Parliament.
The motion also called for the NEC to campaign, through the Parliamentary Group, for age discrimination measures in the field of health and social care to be implemented alongside all other areas. Under the current Bill, these areas will not become law at the same time as other measures.
Anne Coltart from Equality Council said that age discrimination was a problem for all workers. “Older people will cost more in the future. Ageism discriminates against older and younger employee,” she said.
Selina Scott, who successfully sued her employer for age discrimination and won £250,000 compensation, was congratulated in motion 42. NEC will now discuss how to toughen up anti-age discrimination laws with the NUJ Parliamentary Group.
