Salaries for the highest paid 10 per cent rose by 1.8 percent between 2010 and 2011, while pay for people in the lowest paid 10 per cent rose by only 0.1 per cent, ONS data revealed.

Median weekly wages for full time workers rose by 0.4 per cent to £501 (gross) up from £499 a week in 2010. Increases in pay for public sector workers were below this average, at 0.3 per cent, with the median standing at £556 this year. Private sector pay rose by 0.8 per cent, with the median wage being £476. (more…)

by: Jonathan Rayner

You don’t expect good news to come out of the scandal of elderly people suffering abuse at the hands of their carers. Where’s the good news in the indignity of an elderly woman left stuck on the toilet because everyone was too busy to assist her? And how can good news ever be associated with a carer telling a patient to shut up because he was reading the newspaper?

These are just some examples of the theft, neglect, rudeness and physical abuse uncovered by the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s (EHRC) review of home care, published earlier this week. (more…)

The APPG Sex Equality launches investigation into Women’s Access to Power

The first in this series of meetings will analyse Women’s Access to Political Power

Wednesday 14 December 4pm

Wilson Room, Portcullis House, House of Commons (more…)

A new independent audit of the Government’s Big Society – the first comprehensive assessment of how far community empowerment, social action and the opening up public services is being achieved – has been announced today.

The Audit’s first report is expected to be published early next year and will bring data together to measure how far, in practice, a genuine transfer of power from government to civil society is taking place.

The newly-created think-tank, Civil Exchange, is to carry out the Big Society Audit in collaboration with independent research organisation, Democratic Audit, and social policy communications agency, DHA. (more…)

The Equality and Diversity Forum has compiled a list of resources and responses from organisations regarding the discussions surrounding a Bill of Rights.

The question being posed was ‘Do we need a Bill of Rights?’ and a number of organisation responded. On the EDF website you will also find responses to the Discussion Paper.

Please visit the EDF website to read the responses.

The Home Secretary joined the Speaker of the House of Commons last night to help launch a new charity aimed at tackling homophobic bullying in schools.

Numerous gay MPs and public figures attended the official Diversity Role Models launch at the Palace of Westminster.

The organisation will provide free workshops to UK schools, with role models who will “demonstrate is that it’s OK to be different”.

Both straight and gay role models will speak to students about promoting diversity in a bid to lower 66% incidence rate of bullying for LGBT students.

To read the full article please visit the Pink News website.

Check out what some organisations are doing for Anti-Bullying Week

• Stonewall
• Bullying UK
• Anti-Bullying Alliance
• Action Work
• Northumberland FA
• Youth Southampton

The Government ran a consultation between March and June this year on the practical arrangements necessary to implement section 202 of the Equality Act 2010. Making this change will allow those religious organisations that wish to do so to host civil partnership registrations on their religious premises. This voluntary provision is a positive step forward for both LGB rights and religious freedom. (more…)

ECU report highlights discrimination in HE in England

The Department of Health have lifted bans today on me who have ever had gay sex donating blood.

 The changes will come in to England, Wales and Scotland this week, allowing men who have not had gay sex in the last 12 months to give blood. (more…)