Explanatory Notes

Equality Act 2010

2010 CHAPTER 15

8 April 2010

Commentary on Sections

Part 3: Services and Public Functions

Section 28: Application of this Part
Effect

104.This section provides that this Part of the Act, which prohibits discrimination, harassment and victimisation by people who supply services (which includes goods and facilities) or perform public functions, does not apply to discrimination or harassment of people in those circumstances because they are married or in a civil partnership or because of age if they are under 18.

105.It also states that, if an act of discrimination, harassment or victimisation is made unlawful by other Parts of the Act covering premises, work or education, then those provisions, rather than the provisions covering services and public functions, apply. Similarly, if the act in question results in a breach of an equality clause in a person’s terms of work or a non-discrimination rule in an occupational pension scheme, this Part will not apply.

Background

106.This section generally reflects the position in previous legislation. However, since the prohibition on discrimination because of age in services and public functions will not be extended to the under 18s, this section explains that the provisions in this Part do not apply to under 18s in respect of the protected characteristic of age.