Clause 79
Equality Bill
7:15 pm
John Mason (Glasgow East, Scottish National Party)
I beg to move amendment 100, in clause 79, page 59, line 37, leave out paragraph (c).
Hopefully, I shall be brief. The clause deals with education and schools, and specifically when discrimination is allowed. The purpose of the amendment is to seek an explanation of why pregnancy and maternity are not protected characteristics when it comes to education, and I am grateful to Liberty for its help. A woman who is treated less favourably because she is pregnant or has recently given birth is protected, so why is that protection not extended to younger women in schools? We all know that young mothers and expectant mothers can—and do—experience discrimination and disadvantage at school, and there is research to support that. They are also less likely to have qualifications.
For starters, can the Solicitor-General reassure us that the Government do not intend that pregnant girls should be excluded from education merely on the grounds of their pregnancy? The explanatory notes state:
“It is not unlawful discrimination for a school to organise a different timetable for a pupil who has a baby, to help her fit her education with her parenting responsibilities.”
That is fine and good, but it seems an excessively wide exemption to achieve that end. After all, an employer might also organise a different timetable for a new mother returning to work to help her, and that would be acceptable and even encouraged. So why is a much wider exemption being given to schools than to employers? If such matters are not covered by the Bill, will the hon. and learned Lady reassure us that protection will be provided in some other way?