What does the Equality Act 2010 prohibit?

The Equality Act 2010 focuses specifically on protecting individuals from discrimination based on specific characteristics, which are known as protected characteristics. These characteristics include age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation. The act prohibits various forms of discrimination, such as direct and indirect discrimination, harassment, and victimization in multiple settings, including the workplace, education, and the provision of services.

While concepts like equality in education and all forms of discrimination in the workplace are related to the act's objectives, the primary and most accurate focus of the Equality Act 2010 is on the prohibition of discrimination based on these protected characteristics. This means that individuals cannot be treated unfairly because of who they are or what they are associated with, reinforcing the act's broader aim of promoting equality and fairness in society.