This resource is from the Issues section. This page contains details of equality and diversity work of the MPA.

Sections available here:

• Equality and diversity
  • MPA Equality Schemes

Equality and diversity

Every Londoner, whether they define themselves by their race, gender, disability, age, sexual orientation or religion, belief, belongs to a different group with the potential to be discriminated against. All people belong to more than one of these groups and have the potential to experience discrimination on several levels from different perspectives. The key to the MPA successfully scrutinising the MPS is understanding the compound effect of discrimination and challenging the barriers to effective employment, service delivery and community engagement practices.

The MPA is required, under Section 404 of the Greater London Authority Act 1999, to promote equality of opportunity for all persons irrespective of their race, sex, disability, age, sexual orientation, religion or belief and to eliminate unlawful discrimination. The Authority will not seek merely to follow the law but to exceed it. It will operate to a “Gold Standard”, applying the highest standard of the law to all the equality strands (race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, belief and age). This is best illustrated in the application of the principles of the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000 to eliminate discrimination, promote equality of opportunity and promote good relations between persons of different groups in relation to all equality strands. This will benefit all our staff and all Londoners.

The Equal Opportunities and Diversity Board (EODB) leads on all issues relating to equal opportunities and diversity within the MPA and the MPS. The array of work areas covered by the MPA through the EODB are an indication of the wide-ranging impact discrimination can have and the importance of recognising the wealth of diversity within London, the MPS and the MPA itself.

The Equality & Diversity Unit (EDU) is chiefly responsible for supporting the work of the EODB and ensuring the MPA Equal opportunities and diversity strategic objectives 2004-07 are achieved. These objectives are an important step to enable the MPA and its staff to mainstream equality and diversity, ultimately enabling the MPA to effectively monitor and scrutinise the work of the MPS, from public engagement with community representatives to supporting the work of members and staff.

The EDU has responsibility for supporting the Domestic Violence Board, which was set up to monitor, scrutinise and support the MPS in its performance and response to domestic violence. It also has responsibility to co-lead the Disability Oversight Group along with officers from the Oversight & Review Unit.

The EDU is also responsible for providing secretariat support for the London Race Hate Crime Forum (RHCF). The RHCF is a multi-agency partnership led by the MPA, which provides scrutiny and leadership in improving co-ordination and collaboration among agencies responding to race and hate crimes in the capital.

• Equality Impact Assessments
• Equality standard for local government

MPA Equality Schemes

Equality legislation place a statutory duty on public authorities to promote equality. The Acts also require public authorities to devise equality schemes, which outline their arrangements for tackling discrimination, and promoting equality of opportunity and good relations. The MPA equality schemes demonstrate it's commitment to equality.

• Gender Equality Scheme
• Disability Equality Scheme
• Race Equality Scheme

The following pages on the MPA Website are relevant:

• Domestic Violence Board
• The Discrimination Law Review
• EODB
• London RHCF
• Equal opportunities and diversity strategic objectives 2004-07
• Anti-discrimination legislation
• Stop & Search
• MPA and MPS Joint Equality Statement
• Disabled people and the police
  GLAD report
• Iraqi Women’s Internship Programme reception

The following external websites are relevant:

• Home Office
• Audit Commission
• Greater London Authority (GLA)
• GLA - Best Value Review of Equalities