What if reducing poverty and socio-economic inequalities was put at the heart of all government decisions?  

Consider the transformative potential this could have – from education, health, housing, and to the economy. Imagine how this focus could help tackle child poverty, reduce unequal access to essential resources, and disrupt the postcode lottery that dictates life chances. It could make a real, tangible difference to ours lives.

That's what we're trying to achieve by activating the socio-economic duty. That's why we need your help! We want to send postcards and briefs to MPs about the need for the socio-economic duty. We'll print the postcard and send it your MP, signed with your name. All you have to do is complete the form below!

What is the socio-economic duty?

The duty is the first section of the Equality Act 2010, which was never commenced. It required government and named public authorities to consider how they can deliver decisions "“in a way that is designed to reduce the inequalities of outcome which result from socio-economic disadvantage.

This would give people a powerful tool to make decisions fairer. Where the duty has been adopted, in Scotland and Wales and over 40 local authorities in England, it has led to people who are typically excluded from big decisions being more involved. It's led to policy changes like ending the use of bailiffs to collect council tax arrears in favour of ethical debt support, adopting the Living Wage, improved delivery of care leaver grants, removing unfair barriers to recruitment and rejecting proposed cuts to vital children’s services and public transport.

Why send postcards?

Physical postcards and leaflets are an effective way to make your voice heard amidst a crowded MP email inbox. Our SED project officer, Vanessa Boon, has created an excellent leaflet explaining the socio-economic duty and its potential impact clearly. We think MPs from all political parties should be able to support the goal of making our society more equal and giving people a tool that makes decisions fairer.

Our goal with this is to secure the best possible implementation of the socio-economic duty and a clear commencement date.

The text on the postcard will be as follows:
Did you have a good summer recess? We’d have had a better one if the socio-economic duty was commenced.
In fact, that’s why we’re sending you this postcard. As your constituents, we value equality and fairness. The socio-economic duty will help all of us make a fairer society.
We’re sending this with a short guide prepared by the Equality Trust. It has a short history of the duty, the ways it could change our lives, and some clear asks for you as our MP.
So when you go back after recess, please help us make it fairer!

And we'll enclose a short guide that asks MPs to check whether the SED has been implemented in their area, support a national commencement date, advocate a meaningful implementation and support more participatory policymaking. This guide includes some case studies of how the SED has helped where it's already in force.