Kemi Badenoch will vow to scrap the public sector equality duty (PSED) in a speech on Tuesday, aiming to position the Conservative Party as responsible yet responsive to populist anger amid the challenge from Reform UK. The Tory leader, who served as minister for equalities from 2020 to 2022, argues that the legal requirement for public bodies to consider how they promote equality is being used to advance 'dangerous and divisive agendas'.
The PSED, a key section of the Equality Act 2010, obliges public bodies from the police to the Bank of England to think about improving society and promoting equality. Badenoch claims this has led to actions such as the Bank of England replacing historical figures on banknotes with animals, birds and insects, a move she and Reform have condemned. The Bank has stated the decision followed a public consultation where nature and architecture ranked higher than historical figures.
Claire Coutinho, the shadow minister for equalities, said: 'We need to take identity politics out of public life and bring back common sense, fairness and equality before the law.' The Conservatives contrast their approach with Reform's pledge to scrap the Equality Act entirely, which they claim would 'open the floodgates to more DEI'.
Scrapping the PSED would face opposition from groups concerned about impacts on race, disability, religion and pregnancy. The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) noted that the PSED helps public bodies design better services and is not a barrier to their work. The commission's chair has argued evidence shows the duty has a positive impact on equality practice.
Badenoch's speech comes amid political tensions after the murder of student Henry Nowak in Southampton. While she distanced herself from Nigel Farage's call for 'pure cold rage', she has linked police actions to identity politics and the Black Lives Matter movement. The Tories have also announced a 'culture and integration commission' to overhaul the Equality Act, supported by barrister Andrew Dinsmore, whose advice to repeal the PSED will be published on Tuesday.
