Equality and Human Rights Commission

Overall the Commission found that the department has demonstrated that it is meeting many elements of the public sector duties and there is evidence of some good practice. However, there are several areas where the systems designed to meet the duties are inadequate, including the limited focus of Jobcentre Plus' equality impact assessments, the focus on initial screenings that sometimes lack transparency in relation to consultation, and some misconceptions among staff that equal treatment will automatically lead to equal opportunity or equal outcomes.

The DWP and Jobcentre Plus also need to take a more strategic and joined up approach to Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) in order to avoid duplication of effort and to ensure that equality considerations are factored in at the policy development stage.