Cuts to the EHRC

There have been huge cuts to the funding of the EHRC, which has also lost its specialist telephone advice line. In the past, EHRC formal investigations have been highly influential. For example, an important investigation in 2009 into the treatment of workers within the meat processing industry revealed shockingly poor treatment of low-paid pregnant women at work. Based on the investigation findings, the EHRC was then able to intervene to work closely with employers and agencies within the sector, reporting significant improvements by 2011.

General union Unite has protested that funding cuts have greatly reduced the ability of the EHRC to protect women – especially vulnerable women in non-unionised workplaces. It has called for the funding cuts to be reversed and the specialist phone service to be reinstated. However, proposed cuts under the 2016 Comprehensive Spending Review would reduce the EHRC’s funding to just 28.5% of its 2010 level (£17.7 million).

Without the resources for hands-on formal investigations, the EHRC is limited to online information campaigns, such as its new “Power to the Bump” website launched in 2016, targeting young mothers with information on their statutory rights and “top tips”.