Statutory Instruments
2005 No. 2966
DISABLED PERSONS
The Disability Discrimination (Public Authorities)(Statutory Duties) Regulations 2005
Made
21st October 2005
Laid before Parliament
25th October 2005
Coming into force
5th December 2005
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, in exercise of the powers conferred upon him by sections 49D(1) and (2) and 67(2) and (3) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995(1), after consultation with the National Assembly for Wales and with the consent of the Assembly, after consultation with the Scottish Ministers and with the Disability Rights Commission(2), makes the following Regulations:
Citation, commencement and interpretationI1
1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Disability Discrimination (Public Authorities) (Statutory Duties) Regulations 2005 and shall come into force on 5th December 2005.
(2) In these Regulations—
“section 49A(1) duty”, in relation to a public authority, means its duty under section 49A(1) of the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 ; and
“school” means a school maintained by a [F1 local authority (within the meaning of the Education Act 1996 ) F1] .
Preparation and publication of a Disability Equality Schemecross-notesI2
case 2. —(1) A public authority listed in Schedule 1 shall, on or before the relevant publication date, publish a Disability Equality Scheme (“Scheme”), that is, a scheme showing how it intends to fulfil its section 49A(1) duty and its duties under these Regulations.
(2) Such an authority shall involve in the development of the Scheme disabled people who appear to that authority to have an interest in the way it carries out its functions.
(3) A Scheme shall include a statement of—
(a)the ways in which such disabled people have been involved in its development;
(b)that authority’s methods for assessing the impact of its policies and practices, or the likely impact of its proposed policies and practices, on equality for disabled persons;
(c)the steps which that authority proposes to take towards the fulfilment of its section 49A(1) duty;
(d)that authority’s arrangements for gathering information on the effect of its policies and practices on disabled persons and in particular its arrangements for gathering information on—
(i)their effect on the recruitment, development and retention of its disabled employees,
(ii)their effect, in the case of an authority specified in Part II, III or IV of Schedule 1, on the educational opportunities available to, and on the achievements of, disabled pupils and students, and
(iii)the extent to which, in the case of an authority specified in [F2Part I, V or VI of Schedule 1F2] , the services it provides and those other functions it performs take account of the needs of disabled persons; and
(e)that authority’s arrangements for making use of such information to assist it in the performance of its section 49A(1) duty and, in particular, its arrangements for—
(i)reviewing on a regular basis the effectiveness of the steps referred to in sub-paragraph (c), and
(ii)preparing subsequent Schemes.
(4) Such an authority shall review its Scheme and publish a revised Scheme—
(a)not later than the end of the period of three years beginning with the date of publication of its first Scheme; and
(b)subsequently at intervals of not more than three years beginning with the date of publication of the last revision of the Scheme.
(5) Such an authority may comply with the duty to publish under paragraph (1) or (4) by setting out its Scheme as part of another published document or within a number of other published documents.
(6) [F3 Subject to paragraphs (7) to (9), F3] in this regulation, “the relevant publication date” means—
(a)in the case of a public authority listed in Part I or II of Schedule 1, 4th December 2006;
(b)in the case of a public authority listed in Part III of Schedule 1, 3rd December 2007;
(c)in the case of a public authority listed in Part IV of Schedule 1, 1st April 2007.
[F4 (d)in the case of a public authority listed in Part V of Schedule 1, 3rd December 2007.F4]
[F5 (e)in the case of a public authority listed in Part VI of Schedule 1, 1st December 2008.F5]
[F6 (7) In the case of a public authority listed in Parts I or II of Schedule 1 which was established on or after 4th December 2006 and before 3rd December 2007, the relevant publication date is 1st December 2008.
(8) In the case of a public authority listed in Parts I or II of Schedule 1 which is established on or after 3rd December 2007, the relevant publication date is the date falling twelve months after its establishment.
(9) In the case of a public authority listed in Parts III to V of Schedule 1 which is established on or after the relevant publication date which would have applied to it had the public authority been established before that date, the relevant publication date is the date falling twelve months after the establishment of the public authority.F6]
Cases considering this provision (1)
- Brown, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions[2008] EWHC 3158 (Admin)
Implementation of the Disability Equality SchemeI3
3.—(1) A public authority listed in Schedule 1 shall within the period of three years beginning with the date when a Scheme prepared for the purposes of regulation 2 is published—
(a)take the steps which it has been required to set out in the Scheme by virtue of regulation 2(3)(c); and
(b)put into effect its arrangements, which it has been required to set out in the Scheme by virtue of regulations 2(3)(d) and (e), for—
(i)gathering information, and
(ii)making use of such information.
(2) Nothing in this regulation imposes any duty on an authority where, in all the circumstances, it would be unreasonable or impracticable for it to perform the duty.
Annual reportingI4
4.—(1) A public authority listed in Schedule 1 shall publish a report—
(a)not later than the end of the period of one year beginning with the date of publication of its first Scheme; and
(b)subsequently at intervals of not more than one year beginning with the date of publication of the last report.
(2) The report shall contain a summary of—
(a)the steps the authority has taken for the purposes of regulation 3(1)(a);
(b)the results of the information-gathering it has carried out for the purposes of regulation 3(1)(b)(i); and
(c)the use it has made of such information it has gathered for the purposes of regulation 3(1)(b)(ii).
(3) Such an authority may comply with the duty to publish under paragraph (1) by setting out its report within another published document.
Duty on public authorities listed in Schedule 2I5
5.—(1) A reporting authority shall, in respect of its policy sector, publish a report—
(a)not later than 1st December 2008; and
(b)subsequently not later than the end of each successive period of three years beginning with 1st December 2008.
(2) The report shall—
(a)give an overview of progress towards equality of opportunity between disabled persons and other persons made by public authorities operating in the policy sector; and
(b)set out the reporting authority’s proposals for the coordination of action by public authorities operating in that sector so as to bring about further progress towards equality of opportunity between disabled persons and other persons.
(3) In paragraph (1)—
“reporting authority” means a person specified in Schedule 2;
“policy sector” means the sector of public activity in which the reporting authority carries out public functions.
Signed by the authority of the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions.
Anne C McGuire
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State,
Department for Work and Pensions
21st October 2005
Regulation 2
case SCHEDULE 1
Cases considering this provision (1)
- Brown, R (on the application of) v Secretary of State for Work and Pensions[2008] EWHC 3158 (Admin)
PART I I6
F7 ...
The Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
Any of the naval, military or air forces of the Crown (except in relation to employment in the armed forces)
The Arts Council of England
The Arts Council of Wales
The Audit Commission for Local Authorities and the National Health Service in England and Wales
The Arts and Humanities Research Council
An Assembly subsidiary as defined by section 99(4) of the Government of Wales Act 1998(3)
The Big Lottery Fund
The Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council
A body corporate established pursuant to an order under section 67 of the Local Government Act 1985(4) (transfer of functions to successors of residuary bodies, etc)
The British Broadcasting Corporation, in respect of its public functions
The British Council
The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (BECTA)
The British Library
The British Museum
F8 ...
The British Transport Police
The British Waterways Board
[F9 The Care Quality CommissionF9]
F10 ...
The Channel Four Television Corporation, in respect of its public functions
The Chief Constable for the Ministry of Defence Police appointed by the Secretary of State under section 1(3) of the Ministry of Defence Police Act 1987(5)
A chief constable of a police force maintained under section 2 of the Police Act 1996(6)
The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service
The Children’s Commissioner for Wales
[F11 The Commission for Equality and Human RightsF11]
F12 ...
F13 ...
F14 ...
F12 ...
The Commissioner of Police for the City of London
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis
The Common Council of the City of London, in its capacity as a local authority or port health authority
The Common Council of the City of London, in its capacity as a police authority
In England, a county council, a London borough council or a district council
In Wales, a county council or a county borough council
The Council of the Isles of Scilly
F15 ...
The Countryside Council for Wales
The Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority
F16 ...
F17 ...
The Economic & Social Research Council
The Electoral Commission
English Heritage
English Nature
English Partnerships
The Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council
The Environment Agency
F18 ...
Estyn
The Financial Services Authority
A fire authority constituted by a combination scheme under section 5 or 6 of the Fire Services Act 1947(7)
The General Dental Council
The General Medical Council
The General Social Care Council
The General Teaching Council for England
The Greater London Authority
A Health Authority established under section 8 of the National Health Service Act 1977(8)
F19 ...
The Health and Safety Executive
The Heritage Lottery Fund
The Higher Education Funding Council for England
The Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
The Historic Royal Palaces Trust
The Horniman Museum
A housing action trust established under Part 3 of the Housing Act 1988(9)
[F20 The Regulator of Social HousingF20]
The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority
The Imperial War Museum
The Independent Police Complaints Commission
[F21 the Independent Regulator of NHS Foundation TrustsF21]
The Independent Review Service
The Information Commissioner
A joint authority established under Part 4 of the Local Government Act 1985 (police, fire services, civil defence and transport)
A joint authority established under section 21 of the Local Government Act 1992(10)
The Law Society of England and Wales
The Learning and Skills Council for England
The Legal Services Commission
A Local Health Board established under section 16BA of the National Health Service Act 1977
A local probation board established under section 4 of the Criminal Justice and Court Services Act 2000(11)
The London Development Agency
The London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority
The Medical Research Council
The Metropolitan Police Authority established under section 5B of the Police Act 1996
A Minister of the Crown or government department
The Museum of London
The Museum of Science and Industry in Manchester
The Museums, Libraries and Archives Council
The National Assembly for Wales
The National Audit Office
The National College for School Leadership
The National Consumer Council
The National Forest Company
The National Gallery
A National Health Service trust established under section 5 of the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990(12)
The National Library of Wales
The National Lottery Commission
The National Maritime Museum
The National Museum for Science and Industry
A National Park Authority established by an order under s. 63 of the Environment Act 1995(13)
[F22 The National Policing Improvement AgencyF22]
The National Portrait Gallery
The Natural Environment Research Council
The Natural History Museum
The Nursing and Midwifery Council
Ofcom
F15 ...
A Passenger Transport Executive for a passenger transport area in England and Wales within the meaning of Part 2 of the Transport Act 1968(14)
A police authority established under section 3 of the Police Act 1996
A primary care trust established under section 16A of the National Health Service Act 1977
[F23 A probation trustF23]
[F23 A provider of probation services (other than the Secretary of State or a probation trust), in respect of its statutory functions and the carrying out by it of activities of a public nature in pursuance of arrangements made with it under section 3(2) of the Offender Management Act 2007F23]
[F24 The Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency (QCDA)F24]
A regional development agency established under the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998(15) (other than the London Development Agency)
Remploy Limited
F25 ...
[F26 The Science and Technology Facilities CouncilF26]
The Science Museum
The Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body
The Security Industry Authority
The Service Authority for the National Crime Squad
[F27 The Serious Organised Crime AgencyF27]
Sianel Pedwar Cymru (Welsh Fourth Channel Authority), in respect of its public functions
Sir John Soanes’s Museum
The Social Fund Commissioner of the Independent Review Service
A special health authority established under section 11 of the National Health Service Act 1977
The Sports Council for Wales
Sport England
The Standards Board for England
A Strategic Health Authority established under section 8 of the National Health Service Act 1977
Student Loans Company Ltd.
The Sub-Treasurer of the Inner Temple or the Under-Treasurer of the Middle Temple, in his capacity as a local authority
The Tate Gallery
The Training and Development Agency for Schools
Transport for London
UK Film Council
UK Sport
The UK Sports Council
The Victoria and Albert Museum
[F28 Visit BritainF28]
The Wallace Collection
PART II I7
The governing body of a secondary school, in England, within the meaning of section 5(2) of the Education Act 1996(16), and any such school as may be determined by the Secretary of State to be treated as a secondary school under section 5(4) of that Act
The proprietor of a City Technology College, City College for Technology of the Arts, or an Academy
The governing body of an institution within the further education sector within the meaning of section 91(3) of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992(17)
The governing body of an institution within the higher education sector within the meaning of section 91(5) of the Further and Higher Education Act 1992
A [F29local authority (within the meaning of the Education Act 1996)F29]
PART III I8
The governing body of a primary school, in England, within the meaning of section 5(1) of the Education Act 1996, and any such school as may be determined by the Secretary of State to be treated as a primary school under section 5(4) of that Act
The governing body of a community special school or a foundation special school, in England, within the meaning of section 20 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998(18)
A local authority with respect to the pupil referral units it establishes and maintains, by virtue of section 19 of the Education Act 1996
PART IV I9
The governing body of an educational establishment maintained by a [F30local authority (within the meaning of the Education Act 1996)F30] , in Wales
[F31PART V (authorities added on 6th April 2007)
| Archwilydd Cyffredinol Cymru (The Auditor General for Wales) |
| The Board of the Pension Protection Fund |
| The Board of Trustees of the Armouries |
| The British Transport Police Authority |
| Bwrdd yr Iaith Gymraeg (The Welsh Language Board) |
| The Children’s Commissioner for England [F32 and 11 MILLIONF32] |
| The Construction Industry Training Board |
| The Council for Healthcare Regulatory Excellence |
| Cyngor Addysgu Cyffredinol Cymru (The General Teaching Council for Wales) |
| The Gambling Commission |
| The General Chiropractic Council |
| The General Council of the Bar |
| The General Optical Council |
| The Health Protection Agency |
| The Judicial Appointments Commission |
| The Judicial Studies Board |
| The London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games |
| An NHS foundation trust |
| The National Museums and Galleries on Merseyside |
| The Olympic Delivery Authority |
| [F33 Passenger Focus (the operating name of the Passengers’ Council established under the Railways Act 2005)F33] |
| The Pensions Ombudsman |
| The Pensions Regulator |
| The Postgraduate Medical Education and Training Board |
| The Quality Improvement Agency |
| The Sector Skills Development Agency |
| University for Industry |
| The Youth Justice Board for England and Wales.F31] |
[F34PART VI (authorities added on 6th April 2008)
| Amgueddfa Genedlaethol Cymru (The National Museum of Wales) |
| The Appointments Commission |
| The Bank of England |
| The Civil Aviation Authority |
| The Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment ( CABE ) |
| The Community Development Foundation |
| The Competition Commission |
| The Consumer Council for Water |
| The Council for Licensed Conveyancers |
| The Criminal Cases Review Commission |
| Cyngor Gofal Cymru (The Care Council for Wales) |
| The Design Council |
| The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board ( ECITB ) |
| The General Osteopathic Council |
| The Independent Living Funds |
| The Institute of Legal Executives |
| Investors in People UK |
| The National Army Museum |
| The National Endowment for Science, Technology and the Arts ( NESTA ) |
| The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority |
| The Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner |
| The Parole Board |
| Partnerships for Schools |
| The Personal Accounts Delivery Authority |
| The Royal Air Force Museum |
| Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew |
| The United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority |
| The Valuation Tribunal Service.F34] |
Regulation 5
SCHEDULE 2 I10
The National Assembly for Wales
F35 ...
[F36 The Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and SkillsF36]
F37 ...
F38 ...
[F39 The Secretary of State for Communities and Local GovernmentF39]
F40 ...
[F41 The Secretary of State for Culture, Olympics, Media and SportF41]
F42 ...
[F43 The Secretary of State for EducationF43]
[F44 The Secretary of State for Energy and Climate ChangeF44]
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Secretary of State for Health
The Secretary of State for the Home Department
F35 ...
[F45 The Secretary of State for JusticeF45]
F42 ...
The Secretary of State for Transport
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions
1995 c. 50. Sections 49A to 49F were inserted by section 3 of the Disability Discrimination Act 2005 (c. 13) (“the 2005 Act”).
The consultation was conducted and consent sought in accordance with section 49D(5) to (8) of the 2005 Act.
1947 c. 41. Sections 5 and 6 were repealed, in relation to England and Wales, by the Fire and Rescue Services Act 2004 (c. 21), but a scheme in force immediately before the repeal of those sections is given continued effect.
1968 c. 73.