Watchdog publishes three-year plan to tackle key equality and human rights issues in Britain

Following a comprehensive consultation last year, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) has today published its strategic plan for 2025 to 2028.   

Priorities for the next strategic period have been informed by the views of more than 2,000 organisations and individuals across Britain. Planned action has been prioritised where there is clear evidence of need, and the EHRC has a unique contribution to make, with a good prospect of creating positive change.  

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said:  

“Today we are publishing our strategic plan which sets out the direction of the EHRC, in addressing the most significant threats to equality and human rights.  

“From removing barriers preventing disabled people accessing public transport to advising Parliament, Government and the courts on equality law, our approach will be strategic and agile.  

“We know there are still challenges to achieving equality and human rights improvements, and with limited resources we must focus on where our work will deliver positive change.  

“I want to thank everyone who responded to our consultation – it has been a great tool in helping us prioritise our work. 

“Our plan for the next three years prioritises work where the EHRC will have most impact, making Britain a fairer place for all.”  

Addressing barriers faced by disabled people when accessing public transport was ranked as a top priority by both organisations and individuals that responded to the consultation. This has been reflected in the final strategic plan.  

Last year the National Centre for Accessible Transport found almost all disabled people surveyed (92%) face barriers when travelling. Barriers include badly designed and cluttered streets, unreliable step-free access, and poor staff assistance. These barriers create inequalities between disabled people and non-disabled people.  

Over the next three years, the EHRC has prioritised working with service providers to ensure services such as public transport are made more accessible, so everyone is able to participate actively in society.   

The consultation also found that individuals saw sexual harassment and discrimination at work as a top priority needing to be addressed.  

The Worker Protection Act 2023 introduced a new obligation on employers to take reasonable steps to protect their staff from sexual harassment at work. Organisations must be tuned in to their employees’ concerns so that they can implement reasonable steps using the EHRC sexual harassment at work guidance.   

Racial and sexual harassment and discrimination in the uniformed forces workforce will continue to be a priority over the next three years. Part of this work will be to ensure those in the uniformed services, and employers more widely, are aware of the Worker Protection Act obligations and are taking reasonable steps to prevent sexual harassment.