The Socio-Economic Duty in Action: Case studies from England and Wales

Greater Manchester Poverty Action is pleased to launch, in collaboration with Just Fair, their latest report: The Socio-Economic Duty in Action: Case Studies from England and Wales.

This report highlights case studies from local authorities and public bodies in England who have voluntarily adopted the socio-economic duty, and the Welsh government who formally enacted the duty in 2021. The socio-economic duty, contained in Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010 was never enacted into law in England. Scotland enacted the Fairer Scotland Duty in 2018 and Wales followed, enacting the socio-economic duty in 2021. If enacted, the duty would legally require public authorities to consider the way their decisions increase or decrease inequalities that result from socio-economic disadvantage. Previous research from GMPA shows that following inaction at Westminster, around 1 in 7 local authorities across England have voluntarily adopted the duty.

The new report finds that across England and Wales, the duty is being used to tackle inequality in a range of ways, including in recruitment, responding to the cost-of-living crisis, supporting families with the cost of school meals and during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Highlighting the innovative and varied ways in which public bodies are applying the duty to reduce the inequalities that arise from socio-economic disadvantage, this latest report is a useful tool for organisations considering their role in tackling poverty and socio-economic disadvantage.

If your organisation is considering implementing the duty, Greater Manchester Poverty Action can offer you support in adopting it and evaluating its impact. Find out more here or contact [email protected] for a free initial conversation about their consultancy work on the duty.