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The European Commission has accused the Government of failing to incorporate aspects of European Directives into UK law, and has given a two-month deadline to put things right.
The EC says that parts of UK law - specifically those prohibiting discrimination in employment and occupation on the grounds of gender, and the rules prohibiting discrimination based on religion or belief, disability, age or sexual orientation in employment and occupation - do not meet the standards set by the EU.
The UK Government now has two months to respond and, if the EC is not satisfied with the reply, it will refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.
Parliament is currently considering the Equality Bill, which it is hoped will address the current weaknesses in UK legislation identified by the EC, but even by giving the Equity Bill an easy passage the pressure is on to meet the two-month deadline.
Discrimination lawyers now believe that the Government will put extra weight on ministers to push the Bill through Parliament quickly to avoid the threat of legal action.
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