News & Blog

News from the Equality and Human Rights Commission

The EHRC has released its strategic plan for 2025-2028, which sets out its role, responsibilities and vision for the next three years. Read more here.

Also, the Commission has written directly to every McDonald's franchise in Britain to remind them of their legal duties under the Equality Act 2010.  This latest intervention comes after fresh allegations of harassment and discrimination in McDonald’s restaurants were revealed by the BBC in January. Read more here.

Disabled man felt like ‘object’ after being asked to leave plane because he couldn’t walk to toilet

Barry Dobner, 79, was due to travel from Manchester to Athens on an easyJet flight on April 3 with his wife Alison and friend Sheila. Read more here.

Ill and disabled people will be made ‘invisible’ by UK benefit cuts, say experts

Meanwhile, hundreds of thousands of seriously ill and disabled people will become “invisible” and cut adrift from local support services as a result of the government’s £5bn programme of disability benefit cuts, experts have warned. Read more here.

Britain’s silent scandal: Women to launch legal action over pregnancy drug linked to cancer

An ITV News investigation has heard from more than 100 women who believe they were exposed to a controversial drug linked to cancer - which was prescribed on the NHS for nearly four decades. Read more here.

Fats Timbo explains Snow White controversy: ‘To use CGI like we’re mythical creatures is disregarding us’

Comedian and disability rights activist Fats Timbo tells Sky News her thoughts around Disney's new live-action movie, Snow White, and the use of CGI for the seven dwarves. Watch here.

Pakistan grants record Sikh pilgrimage visas for Baisakhi 2025 in historic diplomatic move

In a move that has garnered praise internationally, Pakistan has granted over 6500 Sikh pilgrimage visas to allow visits to shrines by non-Pakistani Sikhs during this festival.  Read more here.

Female defence workers say sexual harassment not addressed after MoD allegations

A survey of female members of the Prospect union working in defence showed a falling level of confidence in action to deter sexual harassment, from 47% in January 2024 to 39% in February 2025. Read more here.

New Zealand parliament rejects controversial indigenous law

New Zealand's parliament has comprehensively rejected a bill aimed at reinterpreting the principles of the country's founding agreement following months of protest and debate over the place of indigenous Maori in the Pacific nation. The proposed bill drew widespread and passionate protest, including this haka by Maori MP's. Read more here.

Cardiff drag artist sets Guinness World Records title for most flowers on a dress

Marmalade, a drag artist from Cardiff, has officially secured a place in the Guinness World Records book by setting a new record title for the most flowers on a dress. Read more here.