The Equality Act - it should not be repealed

Dear Editor,

Rhys Laverty writes (en September 2026) that Christians should seek the repeal or replacement of the Equality Act 2010. I disagree, as the Act is not about “forcing equality of outcome” but rather is seeking a level playing field for more people to access services and participate in society. Christians have long campaigned for better conditions for children in factories, accommodation, care and education.

The children’s charities of today, such as Barnardos, Children’s Society, Action for Children, Spurgeon’s, Mullers, NSPCC, all had their origins in Christians living to love God and love your neighbour as yourself. (Matthew 22v37ff). The Equality Act highlights data by which certain groups are under-represented or over-represented in the provision of services. I worked with some care-experienced young people who wanted to campaign for their care experience to be treated as if they were included in the Act, so that local authorities would do more to help accommodate young adults by supporting their tenancies when they have no parent to do that, or provide support for educational or work apprenticeships in their areas. These “supposedly disadvantaged groups” are under-represented in our employment market and over-represented in youth justice and prison estate. Yet they have come into care due to abuse and neglect that was done to them, and the impact of early childhood trauma is long term. Their campaigns were successful in the three councils of Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and real change is emerging.