The Equality Act brings together nine separate pieces of legislation into one single Act simplifying the law and strengthening it in important ways to help tackle discrimination and inequality. The Act aims to make current equality law more consistent, clearer and easier to follow in order to make society fairer. Implementation of the majority of the Equality Act will begin on 1 October 2010. The Act applies to all organisations that provide a service to the public or a section of the public (service providers). It also applies to anyone who sells goods or provides facilities. It applies to all such services, whether or not a charge is made for them. Guidance produced by the Government Equalities Office (GEO) for public sector organisations including FE and HE institutions entitled "Equality Act 2010: What do I need to know? A summary guide for public sector organisations" is available on the GEO website at -
http://www.equalities.gov.uk/pdf/401727_GEO_EqualityLaw_PublicSector_acc.pdf