Responding to the Queen's Speech, Equality and Human Rights Commission Chair David Isaac said:
Following the election and the Queen’s Speech explaining the Government’s international and domestic agenda, there are many areas where we can work together and others where we would like to see more detail.
We have been calling for flexible working to be the default option and are pleased the Government also sees the value, including it in the Queen’s Speech as part of its Employment Bill. Flexible working and new entitlements for unpaid carers bring benefits to business as well as workers, opening up more talent such as retuning mothers to the workplace. The focus on a long-term solution to social care and a national disability strategy will also be welcome news to those that need more support now and later in life.
The United Kingdom should be leading the way internationally on human rights. We welcome the Government’s commitment to champion free speech and as the UK human rights body and chair of the Commonwealth Forum of Human Rights Institutions we are ready to help them deliver their ambition.
We hope the Royal Commission into the efficiency and effectiveness of the criminal justice process will consider our findings on the experiences of disabled people when our inquiry is complete. We look forward to hearing more detail on the Constitution, Democracy and Rights Commission and how we can work together.
