Clause 107
Equality Bill
10:00 am
Diane Abbott (Hackney North and Stoke Newington, Labour)
I am not a lawyer either. I do not want to address the detail of the new clause; I am trying to address the underlying principles, about which I feel strongly. The Solicitor-General asked a Committee member how it would work. In a sense, the Committee is trying to address the principle of representative actions. We are quite happy if the Solicitor-General wants to set out the practical problems.
The new clause, which is probably the single most important new clause to the Bill, should address the harsh reality of the people among whom I live and whom I try to represent, as well as that of some members of my family. My concern with representative actions is that the issue might already have been traded away because of how antagonistic any clause of this kind is to big business.
I would not like to think that before the Bill came into Committee unspoken agreements were made that the issue would not be touched because it is too difficult for big business. Big business is undoubtedly going through a difficult time, but ordinary low-paid women are going through an even harsher one. If we, at this phase of the Administration’s time in office, cannot address those women’s issues, they are entitled to ask in any coming general election whether we are really thinking of them and addressing their position. I support the new clause.