End discrimination based on poverty and class, says Equality South West

By PRSD, on Thursday, January 22, 2009

posted by Cptn

Social class and economic status are still the basis of hidden discrimination, says Equality South West, and the charity has asked it be included in the new Equality Bill.

An individual’s social class and economic status has just as big an impact in determining their future as other equality factors, says Equality South West, and has raised the issue with Harriet Harman, the Minister for Women and Equality.

Equality South West chief exec Paul Dunn has written to Harriet Harman asking her to include ‘social class and economic status’ in the Equality Bill, which is due to go through Parliament this year.

“Someone who is, for example, disabled or black and working class is more likely to find it far harder to get a job, and be promoted, than someone who is disabled or black and middle or upper class, yet there is no legislation to counter this discrimination,” he said.

“The government legislates to counter discrimination on the grounds of age, disability, gender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, and transgender status, which means that employers and others have legal and moral obligations and economic incentives to treat people fairly.

“But there’s no mention of ‘social class’. If it was included it would do a great deal to help address social cohesion issues, neutralise extremist political propaganda, reduce hate crime and help some of the most disadvantaged individuals and households.”

Apparently, ESW believes that one of the ways the government could improve the situation would be to outlaw the job application postcode lottery.

(For us here at the PRSD, we’d welcome a postcode application that could spot a NIMBY – I mean they’re ok, but you wouldn’t want to work next to one.)

• Get in touch with your examples of discrimination based on poverty and class.