Equality and diversity

As a public body, we publish regular information about what our equality objectives are and how we're meeting them.

Our duties under the Equality Act 2010

Under the Equality Act 2010, Defra, has a duty to:

  • eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation
  • advance equality of opportunity
  • foster good relations between groups of people regardless of their age, disability, gender reassignment, pregnancy and maternity, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation or marriage and civil partnership status

Defra’s strategic priorities focus on the following seven areas:

  • improving declaration rates and diversity data
  • removing unconscious bias in recruitment and performance management
  • improving career support for underrepresented groups
  • promoting inclusive behaviours
  • removing discrimination, bullying and harassment
  • improving the process and delivery of workplace adjustments
  • ensuring our policies and programmes show due regard for equality, diversity and inclusion
  • ensuring our recruitment methods are effective in recruiting a diverse workforce

Defra equality publications

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy

We published our Defra group Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy in May 2020 which sets out our equality objectives from 2020 to 2024. We review our objectives and priorities regularly to make sure they are relevant and meet changing business and customer needs.

Workforce monitoring

The annual workforce monitoring report for 2016 (PDF, 204 KB, 10 pages) examines the diversity of our workforce and shows how we’re meeting our equality responsibilities. The data from this report is available on data.gov.uk.

Gender pay gap

We publish reports which summarise the difference between the average salary of women and men in Defra. Read the:

Organisations we work with

Defra works with the following diversity organisations:

  • Business Disability Forum (BDF)
  • Business in the Community (BiTC)
  • Employers for Carers (EfC)
  • Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion (Enei)
  • PurpleSpace
  • Stonewall

Defra employee networks

There are many Defra EDI Networks which contribute towards our diversity goals, these include:

  • age diversity
  • ethnic minority
  • disability network including cancer, chronic pain, neurodiversity and stammering networks
  • EU nationals
  • faith and belief
  • lesbian, gay, bisexual, asexual and transgender (LGBA&T)
  • mental health and wellbeing
  • bullying, harassment and discrimination support (Respect at Work)
  • social mobility
  • women’s
  • work-life balance

Equality contact

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team
Defra
Nobel House
17 Smith Square
London
SW1P 3JR

Email: diversity.team@defra.gov.uk

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