This petition was submitted during the 2019-2024 parliament
Rejected petition Repeal The public sector Equality Duty (PSED) to stop positive discrimination
Repeal this Act to put an end to positive discrimination and allow true equality.
The Act requires public bodies to have due regard to the need to eliminate discrimination, advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between different people when carrying out their activities.
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In real terms it is a positive discrimination charter allowing a job to be offered to a candidate, not because they are the best candidate for the job, but merely because they possess a specific protected characteristic (for example race, gender, sexual orientation, disability).
This is unlawful but the PSED Act allows it.
This petition was rejected
Why was this petition rejected?
It’s not clear what the petition is asking the UK Government or Parliament to do.
Petitions need to call on the Government or Parliament to take a specific action.
We understand that you are concerned about positive discrimination, but it is not clear exactly what you want the Government to do.
The Public Sector Equality Duty requires public authorities to have due to regard to the need to achieve the objectives set out under s149 of the Equality Act 2010, and while this may involve treating some people more favourably than others, this is not the only purpose of the duty.
You can find out more about the Public Sector Equality Duty here: https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/advice-and-guidance/public-sector-equality-duty
We could accept a petition calling for the Public Sector Equality Duty to be revoked, provided it did not misrepresent the purpose or requirements of this duty.
We only reject petitions that don’t meet the petition standards.