CONTACT
CONTACT

Equal pay and pay discrimination Consultation

Equal pay and pay discrimination Consultation

From:

Office for Equality and Opportunity, Seema Malhotra MP and The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP

Published:

14 July 2026

Last updated:

4 August 2026 — See all updates

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Applies to England, Scotland and Wales

Summary

We are seeking views on how we can comprehensively reform the pay discrimination framework so that it works better for workers, businesses and the justice system.

This consultation closes at
5pm on 27 October 2026

Consultation description

The Office for Equality and Opportunity is seeking views on how we can deliver a comprehensive reform of the current equal pay framework so that it works better for workers, businesses, and the justice system.

We are seeking views on proposals to fix the areas of the system that are currently falling short. We are also seeking views on how we can address gaps and inconsistencies in the framework currently affecting disabled people, those from ethnic minority groups, and outsourced workers.

We are inviting responses from anyone interested in or affected by these issues. We particularly welcome views from those who may be most affected by the different measures relating to pay discrimination policy, including:

  • employers
  • trade unions
  • public sector bodies
  • women’s sector, race and disability stakeholders
  • legal experts and practitioners, including HR and pay and reward specialists
  • individuals with lived experience of pay discrimination

The responses to this consultation will be used to inform our next steps.

How to respond

We encourage you to respond online if possible.

Please read the consultation document.

Then submit your responses online.

Please email equalpayconsultation@cabinetoffice.gov.uk if:

  • you would like to respond via email
  • you have any other enquiries specifically relating to this consultation including requests for the document in an alternative format

If you would like to respond by post, please mark your correspondence ‘equal pay consultation response’ and send it to the postal address.

If you have any complaints or comments about the consultation process you should contact the Cabinet Office.