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ARCHIVE: Delivering on diversity in Defra

There is a need to comply with an expanding range of anti-discrimination law. Defra aims to go beyond legal compliance to providing an inclusive environment. There is a duty on public bodies to promote equality, not just in the way we treat individuals in these groups, but in the way we develop and deliver our business.

Equality impact assessments

Equality impact assessments improve the work of the Department by making sure it does not discriminate in the way that it provides services and employment by assessing how a proposal or policy is likely to affect people (either positively or negatively) from any of the following groups: age, disability, gender and transgender, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or working pattern (part-time working).

Examples of best practice

We value building effective partnerships and dialogue to share and inspire best practice with other Government Departments and private sector organisations.

  • Defra is a member of key organisations committed to creating a positive working environment - Opportunity Now, Race for Opportunity and the Employers Forum on Disability
  • Defra has worked in partnership with UK airlines, other stakeholders, and the Guide Dogs for the Blind to produce a set of guidelines for the carriage of assistance dogs in the passenger cabin of aircraft on approved routes under the Pet Travel Scheme
  • Defra consults with religious groups on issues such as animal welfare at slaughter
  • the Department is member of the Home Office steering group looking at the Government interface between faith and the community
  • children and young people are encouraged to have a real say in the planning, development and delivery of policies and services

Page last modified: 15 December 2008
Page published: 21 September 2005