Katy Clark MP for North Ayrshire and Arran welcomed the decision to include the banning of discrimination against people “associated with” someone who is disabled in the forthcoming Equality Bill.

The European Court of Justice recently ruled that, in the case of Sharon Coleman, a woman who accused her employer of discriminating and harassing her because she had a disabled child, she should be protected by the law with the same rights as such groups as age, race, sexual orientation, and disability.

Speaking on the issue Katy said, “Following the recent European Court of Justice ruling, I welcome the government’s action to include carers in the new Equality Bill. Carers deserve equal treatment, however unfortunately too often they are discriminated against because of their role as a carer.”

The provision in the Equality Bill will prohibit direct discrimination and harassment based on association and perception in respect of race, sex, gender reassignment, disability, sexual orientation, religion or belief and age, in relation to employment and areas beyond this such as goods, facilities and services.

Imedla Redmond, Chief Executive of Carers UK said, “By giving the same rights against “discrimination by association” across all protected groups such as age, race, and sexual orientation, as well as disability, the Government is providing consistency and clarity to both employers and carers.”

Katy continued, “By building this right into the Equality Bill the government is not only showing it commitment to fairness and equality, but is also giving carers a legal right to fairness and equality.”