Fostering good relations and promoting respect between groups
The sense that people are not being treated equally or fairly can create division between individuals and communities. Divisive public discussion, amplified by the media and social media, can reinforce prejudice and divide communities.
Our work
Investigation into Pontins
In 2022, we launched a formal investigation into Pontins holiday parks due to continued concerns about discrimination against Gypsies and Travellers. The investigation will conclude later this year when we will publish our findings.
Supporting race discrimination cases - Rico Quitongo
We jointly funded Rico Quitongo’s race discrimination case against his former club and a club director with the professional footballers’ union in Scotland (PFA Scotland).
Supporting race discrimination cases - Rose Quarcoo
We funded the final hearing of a race discrimination case which was settled by Scottish Ministers with a civil servant who challenged her treatment in the workplace.
Business
plan
2023/24
This business plan describes what we will do under the fostering good relations priority from April 2023 to March 2024.
Encourage schools and educational bodies to promote the value of equality and human rights and respect for others
Our long-term goal:
Bullying, abuse and harassment are reduced, and young people discuss issues of identity and equality respectfully.
How we will do it:
We will influence standard setting by:
- working with the government and regulators to inform equality and human rights standards in educational settings
- updating our guidance following legislative changes from the Higher Education Freedom of Speech Bill, working with partners including the Office for Students
- advising the Welsh government on the development of transgender and LGB guidance for schools
We will ensure compliance with standards by:
- responding to the anticipated Department for Education transgender guidance for schools
We will enforce the law by:
- identifying opportunities to take legal action to promote the value of equality and human rights, and respect for others, in schools and educational settings
Work with sporting organisations and specific service providers to promote respect for others and prevent prejudice
Our long-term goal:
Supporting people of different backgrounds to interact positively and reducing prejudice through improved practices in sports organisations.
How we will do it:
We will evidence the issues by:
- identifying opportunities to follow up on the Women and Equalities Committee work about equality on the basis of sex in football
We will ensure compliance with standards by:
- working with the government and regulators in England, Scotland and Wales to develop a plan to identify and tackle discrimination in sport
- continuing work with the England and Wales Cricket Board and the Welsh Rugby Union and Sports Wales to implement planned activity to reduce discrimination
We will enforce the law by:
- identifying opportunities to take legal action to promote respect for others and prevent prejudice within sporting organisations and specific service providers
Play a leading role in public debates about equality and human rights issues, including by balancing rights
Our long-term goal:
Supporting people of different backgrounds to interact positively and reducing prejudice because of improved practices by service providers.
How we will do it:
We will influence standard setting by:
- working with public bodies to advise on issues relating to the protected characteristic of sex
We will ensure compliance with standards by:
- following up with service providers and stakeholders on our guidance for service providers on single-sex spaces
- continuing to tackle alleged discrimination by holiday parks against some individuals with protected characteristics, communicating our action to other service providers
We will enforce the law by:
- identifying opportunities to take legal action to promote the balancing of rights
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