Equality and Human Rights Commission

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A new framework for monitoring progress towards equality and human rights in Britain

23 July 2009

The Equality Measurement Framework (EMF) was developed for the Commission and the Government Equalities Office by a team based at the London School of Economics.

The EMF will provide information for government and public bodies to inform policy, public services and campaigning priorities. It will also be a resource for journalists, voluntary sector groups and academics to find out more about the state of equality and human rights in Britain.

After extensive consultations across Britain, with people involved in making policies and delivering services, with the general public and with groups at particular risk of discrimination and disadvantage, consensus was reached on a list of fundamental things people need in order to thrive in life.

An initial list of 48 'indicators' to cover this range includes things such as being healthy, engaging in lifelong learning, an adequate standard of living, physical and legal security, and the right to self-expression. The EMF aims to monitor how people are doing, how they are treated by others, and the level of choice and control they have in various aspects of their lives.

The Equality Measurement Framework will in large part use existing information sources from national surveys and administrative data sets. In a report launched today on the development of the EMF, recommendations are made to develop measures for the remaining indicators not covered by existing data.

The report also recommends expanding the coverage to include all seven equality groups set out in the Equality Act 2006 and social economic status. Specific recommendations are made for groups that are often invisible in data such as Gypsies and Travellers, transgender people, and those living in institutions.

The framework will enable the Commission to discharge its legal duties to monitor social outcomes under the Equality Act 2006, as well as ensuring that statistical systems for equality and human rights monitoring are developed and secured.

A web-based tool will be developed early next year, making the data accessible to anyone with an interest in promoting equality and human rights in Britain. The web-tool will show how individuals and groups are faring in relation to the 48 indicators.

Ends

For more information please contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission, tel: 0203 117 0262

Notes to editors

1. In developing measures for the indicators great care is being used to exploit existing data sets where possible and no significant new data collection burden is expected to fall on individual employers or other private sector organisations.
2. The ten areas of life covered by the Equality Measurement Framework are:
   
   1. life
   2. health
   3. physical security
   4. legal security
   5. education and learning
   6. standard of living
   7. productive and valued activities
   8. individual, family and social life
   9. identity, expression and self-respect
   10. participation, influence and voice.
    
3. The Commission's duties under the equality act require the Commission to report to parliament every three years on the progress of society on three mandates - equality, human rights and good relations - and to develop indicators in a consultative process. These are the indicators for the equalities mandate.
4. The Equality Measurement Framework has been developed to this point in a joint project with the GEO with an advisory group of data providers and data commissioners and several rounds of consultation with a wide range of stakeholders. Work will continue with partners to further develop the measures to be used for each indicator in order to maximise the range of indicators and equality groups that can be reported on in the first release of the web tool early next year.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission is a statutory body established under the Equality Act 2006, which took over the responsibilities of Commission for Racial Equality, Disability Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission. It is the independent advocate for equality and human rights in Britain. It aims to reduce inequality, eliminate discrimination, strengthen good relations between people, and promote and protect human rights. The Commission enforces equality legislation on age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status, and encourage compliance with the Human Rights Act. It also gives advice and guidance to businesses, the voluntary and public sectors, and to individuals.