UK Government Proposes Expanding Equal Pay Laws to Race and Disability
7 reported
A blog post on marginalrevolution.com reports that the outgoing UK government led by Keir Starmer is attempting to expand equal pay laws. The post states that the current “equal value” framework under the Equality Act 2010 previously applied only to sex discrimination. Under the proposed law, employees could also bring equal-value claims based on race and disability. The post cites a court case involving retailer Next, where warehouse workers and retail workers were judged “equal” under the law, despite differences in pay and working conditions. The post notes that warehouse workers were almost 50% female, and that any retail employee, including the plaintiffs, could have switched to warehouse work. The proposed law would also establish an Equal Pay Regulation and Enforcement Unit.
What’s reported
The outgoing Keir Starmer government is trying to expand equal pay laws.
The “equal value” framework previously applied only to sex discrimination.
Under the proposed law, employees could also bring equal-value claims based on race and disability.
The post references a court case involving Next, where warehouse and retail jobs were judged “equal.”
Warehouse workers were almost 50% female (47.25%).
Any retail employee, including the plaintiffs, could have switched to warehouse work.
The proposed law would establish an Equal Pay Regulation and Enforcement Unit.
Key figures
Keir Starmer (outgoing UK government leader)
Sources: marginalrevolution.com
