Part 1Socio-economic inequalities

1Public sector duty regarding socio-economic inequalities

1

An authority to which this section applies must, when making decisions of a strategic nature about how to exercise its functions, have due regard to the desirability of exercising them in a way that is designed to reduce the inequalities of outcome which result from socio-economic disadvantage.

2

In deciding how to fulfil a duty to which it is subject under subsection (1), an authority must take into account any guidance issued F7in accordance with subsection (2A).

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The guidance to be taken into account under subsection (2) is—

a

in the case of a duty imposed on an authority in relation to devolved Scottish functions, guidance issued by the Scottish Ministers;

b

in any other case, guidance issued by a Minister of the Crown.

3

The authorities to which this section applies are—

a

a Minister of the Crown;

b

a government department other than the Security Service, the Secret Intelligence Service or the Government Communications Head-quarters;

c

a county council or district council in England;

d

the Greater London Authority;

e

a London borough council;

f

the Common Council of the City of London in its capacity as a local authority;

g

the Council of the Isles of Scilly;

h

F1a Strategic Health Authority established under section 13 of the National Health Service Act 2006, or continued in existence by virtue of that section;

i

F2a Primary Care Trust established under section 18 of that Act, or continued in existence by virtue of that section;

j

F3a regional development agency established by the Regional Development Agencies Act 1998;

k

a F4police and crime commissioner established for an area in England.

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F65

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6

The reference to inequalities in subsection (1) does not include any inequalities experienced by a person as a result of being a person subject to immigration control within the meaning given by section 115(9) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999.