New equality group to be set up

The new organisation will address disability issues

Ministers are proposing a new organisation to take the place of groups that tackle discrimination.

The Commission for Equality and Human Rights will be announced on Thursday, says the BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

Equality laws were introduced 25 years ago and European Union directives have since made the issue more complex.

The new single body replaces the Commission for Racial Equality, the Disability Rights Commission and the Equal Opportunities Commission.

'Anxiety'

It will address discrimination on grounds of religion, sexuality, age, gender, race and disability.

The government has carried out a consultation about its proposals and supporters of the move say it can help people who face discrimination for more than one reason.

But the Disability Rights Commission chairman, Bert Massie, told BBC News Online earlier this year about its concerns.

Although it did not object to a single equality body in principle, it feared the plans could mean victims of different types of discrimination would lose the expertise currently available.

If they rush it, it could be disastrous for everybody Bert Massie Disability Rights Commission

"There would be a lot of anxiety among the discriminated groups," he said.

And using a single gateway could not cope with the vast range of different issues it would face, he added.

The DRC instead wanted a single commission with an umbrella body sharing resources for staff recruitment, finance and a helpline.

But its proposed new commission would also include specialist units for each type of discrimination.

Today reports that the plans were discussed by a Cabinet sub-committee on Tuesday and the new body is not expected to be formed until 2006.

A spokesman for the Department of Trade and Industry, which has the responsibility for this issue, said: "If there is an announcement to be made it will be made in due course."