Equality Act

New measures designed to tackle discrimination in pay and conditions came into force today.

The Equality Act was originally passed by the previous government but has been taken up by the coalition since the election.

The law includes measures to ban 'gagging orders' preventing employees from discussing pay and uncovering discriminatory arrangements.

It also allows workers who are discriminated against on the basis of their responsibilities as carers to launch legal claims.

Sections of the Act relating to equal pay audits to redress the gender imbalance in salaries have gone into review, however, infuriating campaigners.