Datganiad

Commission welcomes UN focus on access to justice and social security reform

Wedi ei gyhoeddi: 30 Mehefin 2016

Reforms to the legal aid system, the introduction of employment tribunal fees and changes to the social security system have all been highlighted as major human rights concerns by the United Nations in a critical report.

The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights raised concerns about access to justice, especially for disadvantaged and marginalized groups as well as in areas such as employment, housing, education and social security.

Commissioner Lorna McGregor, said:

Recent reforms to civil law justice have had particular impacts on disabled people, women and ethnic minorities. For example, the introduction of fees for employment tribunals has resulted in large drops in the numbers of claims brought for discrimination on the basis of sex, disability, race and sexual orientation.

I welcome this report by the UN and we will now work with civil society organisations to hold the Government to account in this area.

Lorna McGregor continued:

The UK Government should improve its planning and monitoring of reforms to social security. It should extend its analysis to include the cumulative impact of decisions on people sharing protected characteristics, review policies which have reduced protections and identify mitigating actions where adverse impacts are identified.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

The UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights’ report can be found here

The majority of recommendations reflect the issues the Commission raised in its report to the Committee in April.

Speak to our press office

If you work in the media, please speak to our press office:

  • During office hours (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) please call: 0161 829 8102
  • Or email the press office team
  • For out of hours please continue to contact 0161 829 8102. Emails are not routinely monitored out of hours.

This phone number is for media enquiries only. For all other queries, please call 0161 829 8100, or email correspondence@equalityhumanrights.com 

phone icon

0161 829 8102