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Harman pushes discrimination plan Harman pushes discrimination plan
(9 minutes later)
Equality minister Harriet Harman has defended plans to allow firms to discriminate in favour of female and ethnic minorities job candidates.Equality minister Harriet Harman has defended plans to allow firms to discriminate in favour of female and ethnic minorities job candidates.
She said firms should be able to choose a woman over a man of equal ability if they wanted to - or vice versa.She said firms should be able to choose a woman over a man of equal ability if they wanted to - or vice versa.
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.
Setting out the plans in a Commons statement, Ms Harman said the proposed legislation - due later this year - would "address the serious inequalities that still exist" in the UK.Setting out the plans in a Commons statement, Ms Harman said the proposed legislation - due later this year - would "address the serious inequalities that still exist" in the UK.
'Old boy network''Old boy network'
They would increase fairness and diversity and help Britain compete in the global economy by being more open, she told MPs.They would increase fairness and diversity and help Britain compete in the global economy by being more open, she told MPs.
"A society which is equal and fair is a one which is more at ease with itself," Ms Harman told MPs. "A society which is equal and fair is a one which is more at ease with itself," she added.
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
They would also bring together all previous discrimination law into a single piece of legislation which she said would cut red tape for business. The plans would also bring together all previous discrimination law into a single piece of legislation which she said would cut red tape for business.
She said allowing positive discrimination would help organisations such as the police better reflect the communities they serve by recruiting more female and ethnic minority officers. Allowing positive discrimination would help organisations such as the police better reflect the communities they serve by recruiting more female and ethnic minority officers, said Ms Harman.
But if, for example, a headmistress wanted to recruit a male teacher to balance an all female team that would be allowed too. But if, for example, a headmistress wanted to discriminate in favour of a male teacher to balance an all female team that would be allowed too.
Wage gapWage gap
Asked how she could justify discrimination in the name of equality, she said she wanted tackle "patterns of discrimination" in the workforce and ensure firms were "not just 'entrenched in the old boy network'".Asked how she could justify discrimination in the name of equality, she said she wanted tackle "patterns of discrimination" in the workforce and ensure firms were "not just 'entrenched in the old boy network'".
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.
FROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programmeFROM THE TODAY PROGRAMME More from Today programme
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".
Female part-time workers still earned 40% less per hour than their full-time male counterparts, Ms Harman told Today BBC Radio 4's Today programme.Female part-time workers still earned 40% less per hour than their full-time male counterparts, Ms Harman told Today BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
"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."
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.
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
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.
Theresa May, for the Conservatives, broadly welcomed the proposals but said they were short on detail.Theresa May, for the Conservatives, broadly welcomed the proposals but said they were short on detail.
The Tories want compulsory pay audits for firms found guilty of gender discrimination at industrial tribunals.The Tories want compulsory pay audits for firms found guilty of gender discrimination at industrial tribunals.