Conservatives push to scrap public sector equality duty amid Labour backlash
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall warns repeal would remove vital workplace protections, accusing the Conservative leader of seeking to ‘turn the clock back’ on equality legislation.
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has announced plans to abolish the public sector equality duty as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the Equality Act, arguing that the current legislative framework negatively influences police responses to serious crimes. Badenoch pointed to the murder of Henry Nowak as a primary example, claiming that the duty caused authorities to prioritise allegations of racism over the investigation of the stabbing itself.
The proposal has drawn sharp criticism from the government, with Technology Secretary Liz Kendall strongly opposing the move. Speaking to Sky News, Kendall stated that repealing the duty would effectively ‘turn the clock back’ by stripping away essential safeguards for pregnant women, older employees, and disabled individuals against workplace discrimination. She emphasised that the duty prevents employers from dismissing staff based on maternity leave or age, describing the Conservative position as contrary to common-sense middle ground.
Badenoch’s speech followed a week of intense media debate triggered by the Nowak case. Despite the judge presiding over the trial of Nowak’s killer explicitly rejecting allegations that police biasedly focused on racism accusations, right-wing figures including those from Reform UK and Restore Britain have continued to circulate claims of police bias against white people. Badenoch, who previously presented the controversial Sewell report downplaying institutional racism, has framed the public sector equality duty as a root cause of this perceived imbalance.
The political clash occurs alongside broader government activity, with Justice Secretary David Lammy unveiling plans to integrate artificial intelligence into the court system. Meanwhile, other ministers including Health Secretary James Murray and Border Security Minister Alex Norris are scheduled to give evidence to parliamentary committees, highlighting the government’s focus on both technological modernisation and administrative accountability.
Kendall argued that maintaining the public sector equality duty is essential for British public services and companies to draw on the full talent pool of the population. She urged Badenoch to specify which elements of the duty she intends to withdraw, noting that the current protections are ‘really, really important’ for ensuring fair treatment across the workforce.