As we noted here, the Government’s new Equality Bill brings together various bits of anti-discrimination legislation and extends some of them. One area that is extended is protection against age discrimination, which is now covered by Part 3, in respect of goods, facilities and services. It is not however covered by Part 4 which deals with premises, including housing.
A number of people seem to be looking into this; the Conservatives have put down an amendment as part of the Committee stage, which would include age in Part 4. We have been contacted by Age Concern and Help the Aged, who are looking for any evidence of harmful age discrimination in premises, in relation to the terms on which housing is offered or the management of housing. Although their primary focus is older people they are also interested in information of age discrimination against young people. Housing Benefit rules are one obvious example.
If you have any evidence please send it, not to us, but to them care of Robert.Brown at helptheaged.org.uk. Hopefully they can keep us updated of developments.