Government Proposes New Equal Pay Enforcement Body to Tackle Race and Disability Pay Gaps

The government has announced plans to create a dedicated enforcement body aimed at tackling pay discrimination experienced by ethnic minority workers and disabled people across the UK.

The move, led by Equalities Minister Seema Malhotra, forms part of a wider push to strengthen equality law and ensure fairer pay for all. The new body would work alongside trade unions and industry bodies to improve enforcement of equal pay legislation — and provide greater support for individuals bringing complaints.

A public call for evidence has now been launched, inviting views on how to shape the body’s role and whether mandatory pay gap reporting on ethnicity and disability should be introduced. While gender pay gap reporting is already a legal requirement for large employers, similar obligations for race and disability have not yet been implemented — despite clear evidence of disparities in earnings and progression.

Minister Malhotra said:

“Equality is a key factor in delivering long-term and sustainable growth across the UK economy. Everyone should have the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background or circumstances.”

Alongside proposals for the new enforcement body, the government is considering:

• Introducing mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for larger employer
• Strengthening legal protections for those experiencing workplace discrimination or harassment
• Activating the “socioeconomic duty” — a section of the Equality Act 2010 that requires public bodies to consider how their decisions affect people from disadvantaged backgrounds (currently in force in Scotland and Wales, but not England)

The government’s announcement follows mounting concern from equality advocates, trade unions, and researchers that current measures are not going far enough to address systemic inequality in the workplace.

While some employers have taken steps voluntarily — including publishing data and reviewing pay structures — campaigners argue that without enforcement and greater transparency, progress will continue to be slow and uneven.

For workers, especially those in outsourced or low-paid sectors, this could be a turning point. The proposed changes offer a chance to close persistent pay gaps and ensure that all employees are valued and rewarded fairly.