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Harman pushes discrimination plan Harman pushes discrimination plan
(about 1 hour later)
Harriet Harman has defended plans to make it legal for firms to discriminate in favour of female and ethnic minorities job candidates.Harriet Harman has defended plans to make it legal for firms to discriminate in favour of female and ethnic minorities job candidates.
The equalities minister said firms should be able to choose a woman over a man of equal ability if they want to. The equalities minister said firms should be able to choose a woman over a man of equal ability if they wanted to.
The new Equalities Bill will also force employers to disclose salary structures in a bid to close the gender pay gap.The new Equalities Bill will also force employers to disclose salary structures in a bid to close the gender pay gap.
The plans, which will be adopted first across England then Wales and Scotland, will also ban all age discrimination.The plans, which will be adopted first across England then Wales and Scotland, will also ban all age discrimination.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
Ms Harman said she wanted a more "open and diverse" economy with companies not just choosing from "a pool of friends of friends".Ms Harman said she wanted a more "open and diverse" economy with companies not just choosing from "a pool of friends of friends".
Tackled on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about whether the proposals would lead to discrimination against white men, she said companies would not be forced to use positive discrimination.Tackled on BBC Radio 4's Today programme about whether the proposals would lead to discrimination against white men, she said companies would not be forced to use positive discrimination.
Age discriminationAge discrimination
But she added: "They might think we don't want an all male team.But she added: "They might think we don't want an all male team.
"We've got a new post coming up, we've got equally qualified men and women going for it, we are going to pick the woman because we want to have a more balanced top team."We've got a new post coming up, we've got equally qualified men and women going for it, we are going to pick the woman because we want to have a more balanced top team.
Everybody should be treated as individuals and not just discriminated against across the board because of their age Harriet Harman Mark Easton on the gender gapEverybody should be treated as individuals and not just discriminated against across the board because of their age Harriet Harman Mark Easton on the gender gap
"The law at the moment is not clear and we are clarifying and saying if you want to do it, you can, and it makes it much more open.""The law at the moment is not clear and we are clarifying and saying if you want to do it, you can, and it makes it much more open."
Ms Harman will set out the proposals in the Commons later.Ms Harman will set out the proposals in the Commons later.
Age discrimination in the workplace has been illegal since 2006, but the new legislation will tackle more widespread forms of age-related prejudice.Age discrimination in the workplace has been illegal since 2006, but the new legislation will tackle more widespread forms of age-related prejudice.
The Bill aims to close the gender pay gap by forcing firms to "publish their gender pay gap".The Bill aims to close the gender pay gap by forcing firms to "publish their gender pay gap".
Wage gapWage gap
Female part-time workers still earned 40% less per hour than their full-time male counterparts, Ms Harman told Today.Female part-time workers still earned 40% less per hour than their full-time male counterparts, Ms Harman told Today.
"Do we think she is 40% less intelligent, less committed, less hard-working, less qualified? It's not the case. It's entrenched discrimination. It's allowed to persist because it's all swept under the carpet.""Do we think she is 40% less intelligent, less committed, less hard-working, less qualified? It's not the case. It's entrenched discrimination. It's allowed to persist because it's all swept under the carpet."
HAVE YOUR SAY It's a very artificial way to fix the problemJohnny, East LondonSend us your commentsHAVE YOUR SAY It's a very artificial way to fix the problemJohnny, East LondonSend us your comments
The Bill will also seek to stop pensioners being denied NHS treatment because of their age.The Bill will also seek to stop pensioners being denied NHS treatment because of their age.
Ms Harman said doctors will still be able to refuse treatment if they believe there are sound clinical reason for doing so.Ms Harman said doctors will still be able to refuse treatment if they believe there are sound clinical reason for doing so.
But she added: "Everybody should be treated as individuals and not just discriminated against across the board because of their age."But she added: "Everybody should be treated as individuals and not just discriminated against across the board because of their age."
Age discrimination will also be outlawed in the provision of goods and services, such as holidays and insurance.Age discrimination will also be outlawed in the provision of goods and services, such as holidays and insurance.
It is likely organisations and companies will be given time to review and, if necessary, change their practices before the new law would be enforced.It is likely organisations and companies will be given time to review and, if necessary, change their practices before the new law would be enforced.
Other age distinctions, such as free bus passes and holidays for the over-50s or 18-to-30s, will be exempt.Other age distinctions, such as free bus passes and holidays for the over-50s or 18-to-30s, will be exempt.