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The Odysseus Trust  

 THE ODYSSEUS TRUST
 193 Fleet Street, London EC4A 2AH
 info@odysseustrust.org
 Tel: 020 7404 4712
 Fax: 020 7405 7314
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  • Background to the Bill
  • Equality Bill 2003
    (published on the
    U.K. Parliament website)
  • Explanatory Notes
    (PDF Format, 550KB)
  • Executive Summary
    of Responses to the
    Public Consultation
    (PDF Format, 139KB)
  • Press Releases
  • Information for Media
    (PDF Format, 149KB)

    • (To view PDF files you will need
    to download Acrobat Reader)

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    House of Lords:
  • Second Reading Debate
  • Committee Stage
  • Report Stage
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    EQUALITY

    The Odysseus Trust has been heavily involved in the campaign for a single equality bill, which has culminated in its work to influence the provisions of the Equality Bill 2009 currently before Parliament.

    In campaigning for a single equality bill, Lord Lester introduced his own model bill in 2003 (Equality Bill 2003), based largely on the Hepple Report and drafted for the Cambridge Centre for Public Law by Stephanie Grundy, in conjuction with Bob Heppele, QC, Lord Lester of Herne Hill QC and the Odysseus Trust.

    The Bill passed successfully through the House of Lords and moved to the House of Commons. The Bill was supported by Angela Eagle MP (former Minister for Race Relations) along with Vera Baird QC MP and Norman Lamb MP (Liberal Democrat Treasury Spokesperson). The Bill received a tremendous welcome in the Commons with over 246 MPs signing an Early Day Motion in support. Despite this overwhelming support the Government continued to refuse to support the Bill with the result that the Government whips did not find any time for the Bill to have a second reading.

    Equality Bill 2006

    The Trust was heaviliy involved in the passage of the Equality Act 2006 through Parliament, and, together with other human rights and equality organisations and the Joint Committee on Human Rights, successfully campaigned for vital improvements to the Equality and Human Rights Commssion's functions and powers. The Bill passed through its subsequent stages and received Royal Assent on 16 February 2006.

    Equality and Diversity Forum

    The Odysseus Trust is an observer member of the Equality and Diversity Forum.

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    Last updated August 2009