Equality Act 2006This Act established the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) and sets out its purpose, functions and powers. It takes over the functions and powers of the Commission for Racial Equality, Equal Opportunities Commission and the Disability Rights Commission. It is responsible for promoting equality and combating unlawful discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation, religion or belief, or age. It acquired the existing provisions in respect of sex, race and disability from the CRE, EOC and DRA. It is also responsible for promoting human rights, except in respect of matters falling within the competence of the Scottish Parliament as Scotland has its own Scottish Human Rights Commission.The Act makes it unlawful to discriminate, on grounds of religion or belief, in the provision of goods and services, education, the use and disposal of premises and the exercise of public functions. Public authorities have a duty to promote equality of opportunity for men and women and prohibit sex discrimination and harassment in the exercise of public functions.
