http://www.mssociety.org.uk/news_events/news/daily/disability_right.html

25 October 2002

The UK government claims to be leading the way in Europe in delivering enforceable civil rights for disabled people.

Speaking after plans were outlined for implementing EU anti-discrimination laws, Minister for Disabled People, Angela Eagle, said, New employment rights will be in force by 2004, a full two years ahead of the timeframe prescribed by Europe.  From then an additional seven million jobs will come under the Disability Discrimination Act.

"We're not stopping there. This government is committed to making changes to further strengthen disabled people's rights and giving them more protection against discrimination".

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has published two consultation documents. Equality and Diversity: the Way Ahead makes specific proposals for draft legislation to strengthen the DDA. Equality and Diversity: Making it Happen makes proposals about the future of equality machinery.