Labour has outlined its plans to extend full rights to equal pay to ethnic minority workers and disabled people if it wins the next general election.
Women currently have stronger protections on pay than other groups. Under the party's new plans, equal pay claims on the basis of ethnicity and disability would reportedly be treated in the same way as those made on the basis of gender.
Keir Starmer is expected to reveal updated plans for the draft Race Equality Act on Monday. The proposed changes would also enact protections against “dual discrimination”, in which people face prejudice due to a combination of protected characteristics, according to The Guardian.
However, Minister for Equalities Kemi Badenoch said this would "be a bonanza for dodgy, activist lawyers".
She said the proposed legislation would "set people against each other and see millions wasted on pointless red tape".
"It is obviously already illegal to pay someone less because of their race," Badenoch added.
Labour said any changes they would make if they won the next general election would be gradually introduced to give employers time to adjust.
The party has also established a race equality taskforce, led by Baroness Lawrence and co-chaired by shadow equalities secretary Anneliese Dodds.
"It has never been more important to deliver race equality," Ms Dodds told The Guardian on Sunday.
She added: "Inequality has soared under the Tories and too many black, Asian and ethnic minority families are working harder and harder for less and less. This is holding back their families and holding back the economy.
"We are proud of our achievements in government, from the landmark Equality Act [in 2010] to strengthening protections against discrimination. The next Labour government will go further to ensure no matter where you live in the UK, and whatever your background, you can thrive."
When was the equal pay act?
The original Equal Pay Act was passed on 29 May 1970, and came into force on 29 December 1975.
Who does it apply to?
It established that men and women should be paid equally for the same work, or work of a broadly similar nature.
How is it different from the Sex Discrimination Act 1975 and Race Relations Act 1976?
The Equal Pay Act, Sex Discrimination Act, and Race Relations Act are now all combined.
The Equality Act, came into force in October 2010, and merged and replaced the following legislation:
Equal Pay Act 1970;
Sex Discrimination Act 1975;
Race Relations Act 1976;
Disability Discrimination Act 1995;
Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003;
Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003;
Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006;
Part 2, Equality Act 2006 and the Equality Act (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2007.
The Equality Act legally protects people from discrimination in the workplace and in wider society.
