26/06/2012

Cuts to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) services will be inevitable if funding cuts proposed by the government go ahead.  Please drop an email to your MP asking them to sign Early Day Motion 163, which opposes the cuts.

By going ahead with funding cuts the government is ignoring the results of its own consultation on the future of the EHRC as the majority of respondents urged against cutting Commission’s remit or funding.   

Funding cuts have already impacted on the EHRC as Bristol and Nottingham offices closed over a year ago. Further office closures are planned for Birmingham, Newcastle, Bangor, Guildford, Cambridge and Leeds, and the offices in Manchester, London, Glasgow and Cardiff will be reduced. Other effects on the EHRC’s services due to the funding cuts will include:

• The direct helpline with conciliation and legal assistance powers will be privatised in September 2012 and replaced with a referral line. There will be no provision at all in Scotland and Wales as there is now. 
• The end of the grants function to charities or projects, which are often the first port of call for victims of discrimination and harassment

The Early Day Motion (EDM) warns that the Commission's UN ‘A’ status is in jeopardy due to a loss of independence following the new Framework Agreement and urges the government urgently to rethink these cuts and to commit to maintaining the funding and remit of the body, especially at a time of growing inequality.

The Early Day Motion can be found at:  www.parliament.uk/edm

More information about Early Day Motions can be found at: www.parliament.uk/business

Find out who is your local MP at: www.findyourmp

Contact details are available at: www.parliament.uk