The big question: What if reducing poverty, and socio-economic inequalities, was put at the heart of all strategic policy decisions by government and local authorities?

Join this timely discussion on the Socio-Economic Duty—the legal clause that addresses the big question and contemporary challenges of rising child poverty, the cost of living crisis and the gap in life chances between those with wealth, and those without. The Equality Trust will provide a briefing on the origins, provisions, and potential of the duty, which has remained unimplemented in Westminster since its passage. While Scotland and Wales activated the duty in 2018 and 2021 respectively, successive UK governments have left the duty dormant – a delay that has drawn criticism from the United Nations. However, the government has now opened a public call for evidence, with statutory guidance expected in autumn and is making plans for commencement in 2026. This is an opportunity to shape the future of this long-neglected clause, with success stories from its activation in Scotland and Wales, and voluntary adoption by over 40 local authorities in England. Reflecting on learning points from case studies and the Public Sector Equality Duty, there will be discussion of implementation mechanisms to ensure that the duty is effective in practice. Proactive steps for MPs to share in their constituencies will be shared, as well as good practice to inform all Parliamentarians and stakeholders to play a part in awakening this dormant duty and bringing it fully to life to make a difference.

The meeting will be introduced by APPG Officer Neil Duncan-Jordan MP and Vanessa Boon, Senior Project Officer at the Equality Trust will be the main speaker at the meeting and will be able to answer your questions on the SED and its commencement.