Race

Under the Race Relations Act, it is unlawful to discriminate against anyone on grounds of race, colour, nationality (including citizenship), or ethnic or national origin. All racial groups are protected from discrimination.

The Race Relations Act generally applies to the fields of employment, planning, housing, the exercise of public functions (both by public authorities and also private bodies exercising public functions, for example, privately-run prisons), the provision of goods, facilities and services, and education.

Under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000, public bodies, including Woking Borough Council, are required in carrying out their functions, to have due regard to the need:

• to eliminate unlawful racial discrimination and
• to promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups.

A number of public bodies, including Woking Borough Council, are subject to specific duties in addition to the general duty. The specific duties require them to publish a race equality scheme and to report on progress annually. Copies of our Race Equality Scheme are available in full or as a summary version.