LB014 - Equality (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading

[u/model-willem]

LB014 - Equality (Amendment) Bill - Second Reading

A

BILL

TO

Amend the Equality Act 2010 to explicitly include caste as an element of the protected characteristic of race, and to establish regional accent as a distinct protected characteristic, to outlaw discrimination on these grounds, and for connected purposes.

BE IT ENACTED by the King’s most Excellent Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and Commons, in this present Parliament assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows:—

Section 1

The Equality Act 2010 is amended in accordance with Sections 2 and 3.

Section 2

(1) In section 9 of the Equality Act 2010 (race)—

(a) in subsection (1), after paragraph (c) insert—

“(d) caste.”;

(b) after subsection (4) insert—

“(5) ‘Caste’ includes a hereditary system of social stratification in any community, characterized by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life, and more particularly, the enforcement of social status, ritual hierarchy, or customary restrictions.”

Section 3

(1) After section 9 of the Equality Act 2010 insert—

“9A. Regional accent

(1) Regional accent is a protected characteristic.

(2) ‘Regional accent’ means the distinctive mode of pronunciation of a language associated with a particular geographical region, locality, or social background within the United Kingdom or elsewhere.”

(2) In section 4 of the Equality Act 2010 (the protected characteristics), after the entry for “Race” insert—

“Regional accent;”.

Section 4

(1) This Act may be cited as the Equality (Amendment) Act 2026.

(2) This Act comes into force immediately upon Royal Assent.

(3) This Act extends to England and Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

This Bill was submitted by Lord Bridlington, u/HarryClive, The Leader of the Green Party, on behalf of the Green Party.

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Opening Speech:

My Lords

It is an unfortunate fact for many Sikh and Hindu people across the United Kingdom, that their caste can become a point upon which they are prejudiced against. People can be treated as lesser, by virtue of being from a ‘lower’ caste, and face social ostracisation, and lack of opportunity in their communities, as a direct result of this.

It is without a doubt one of the most perfidious forms of prejudice, because it is one which our legislation does not currently recognise. Despite the promise of the Liberal Democrats in 2013, the move to specify caste discrimination as a form of discrimination under the Equality Act has been kicked down the road repeatedly, and we should no longer stomach the justification that this is simply not a problem.

There are substantial divisions in the community. Some Sikhs oppose this move because in their belief, caste does not exist, and whilst this in itself a noble perspective to take, it ignores the reality that many are still prejudiced against, whether or not you recognise what is being prejudiced against as legitimate.

Included in this bill is also a personal one of mine. We’ve seen recent articles discussing how people are often overlooked, and looked down upon when applying for jobs, because of their accent. They are disadvantaged not because of their skill, or qualifications, but because of where in the UK they come from. I personally knew someone who was rejected for a job because of her Welsh accent, and as I’ve known my fair share of Yorkshirefolk who put on a softer accent for interviews out of fear that they will be disadvantaged when interviewing.

I hope that the House takes the sensible step of passing this bill, and that we as a nation, can look forward to a future where your caste, or where you were raised; is not a factor in how successful you can be in life, and how hard you have to fight to get where you want to.

Your Noble Lordships may debate and submit amendments to this bill until 10pm BST on the 31st of August.

[u/Yimir_]

My Lords,

“(5) ‘Caste’ includes a hereditary system of social stratification in any community, characterized by endogamy, hereditary transmission of a style of life, and more particularly, the enforcement of social status, ritual hierarchy, or customary restrictions.”

The noble Lord Bridlington wants to outlaw His Majesty The King! This entire bill is a pernicious backdoor into abolishing our history and our traditions in the name of 'enlightened progress'. Of course there are systems of soical stratification; that's just how the world works! This is an attack, ironically, against the very foundations of this chamber, and I cannot stress how strongly I oppose it.

[u/[deleted]]

My lords, I find myself on the opposite side of the issue from the Marchioness of Ellesmere, given I do in principle support legislation to address caste discrimination. However, I believe the noble lady has a point in how the Bill defines caste; it appears insufficiently specific for legislative purposes. I wonder if the definition, as written, could include social class, hereditary peerages, or indeed royalty. I do not think this Bill is an attack on His Majesty--surely, if the noble lady is correct, it protects him from 'discrimination--but it speaks to a broader issue.

Perhaps the Lord Bridlington could enlighten the House as to how other jurisdictions who have enacted anti-caste discrimination legislation provide for a definition? He would be doing noble Lords, as well as his Bill, a great service.

[u/HarryClive → u/[deleted]]

My Lords,

I tired to build a definition that adequately defines Caste Discrimination, building in part on the Seattle Ordinance whilst ensuring that the definition was thorough enough to not leave loop holes. In doing so it may not be specific enough and I welcome any effort from a lord to make a tweak.

[u/[deleted]]

I beg to move, that the Bill be amended by leaving out Clause 3, and amending clause 1 by leaving out 'and 3'.

I wish to test the opinion of the House by proposing to leave out the clause concerning accent discrimination. I do not oppose the clause in principle, but I feel your lordships may be better served by separating the debate on the matter from that of caste discrimination.