Overview

This bill seeks to amend the Equality Act 2010 and the Employment Rights Act 1996 to protect individuals whose beliefs about the definition of marriage differ from the legal definition. It aims to ensure that holding or expressing such beliefs does not lead to discrimination.

Description

The bill proposes two key amendments:

• Amendment to the Equality Act 2010: This adds "beliefs regarding the definition of marriage" as a protected characteristic under the "religion or belief" section. It also introduces a public sector equality duty, requiring public bodies to respect such beliefs and ensure no one suffers detriment for holding or reasonably expressing them.
• Amendment to the Employment Rights Act 1996: This grants employees the right not to face detriment from their employer for holding or reasonably expressing beliefs about the definition of marriage.

The bill applies to England and Wales and comes into effect two months after being passed.

Government Spending

The bill doesn't directly specify government spending. The potential financial implications would stem from the need for public bodies to comply with the new equality duty, which might involve training, policy changes, or legal challenges. No figures are provided in the bill text.

Groups Affected

The bill may affect several groups:

• Individuals with traditional views on marriage: This bill aims to protect them from discrimination for holding and expressing their beliefs about marriage.
• Public sector employees: Public sector bodies will need to adapt their policies and practices to ensure compliance with the new equality duty.
• Employers: Employers must ensure they do not discriminate against employees based on their beliefs about marriage.
• Employment tribunals: They will handle complaints related to discrimination based on beliefs about marriage.

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