Equality Act 2010
The Equality Act 2010 replaced various previous Acts of Parliament and outlaws discrimination on any of the following "protected characteristics":
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership
- pregnancy and maternity
- race
- religion or belief
- sex
- sexual orientation.
Amongst other things, the Act removes the statutory ban on conducting civil partnerships on religious premises. This provision has not yet come into force: the Government conducted a consultation on it during 2011, and is currenttly considering how to introduce it in England. Implementing this provision in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland is a matter for the devolved authorities.