On 27 January, the Government told Parliament that guidance for the new public sector equality duty on age will include children. The duty’s provisions on age mean that public service providers will need to have due regard to the need to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between people of all ages, including children. Government Minister, Baroness Royall of Blaisdon, reassured Peers in the debate on the Equality Bill on 27 January. Baroness Royall confirmed that the guidance will include practical assistance for public service providers on how they can implement the age provisions for children. Although the positive duty on public services will include children, the Equality Bill excludes under-18s from age discrimination protection in services and public functions.

Carla Garnelas of the Children’s Rights Alliance for England said “We are pleased that the Government has confirmed that public service providers will be helped to implement the duty on age for children. We have gathered a considerable body of evidence of children experiencing unfair age discrimination in the private and public sector. Although the duty will affect public services, it is disappointing that the private sector will still be permitted to discriminate against children on the grounds of age.”

Read the debate here