period. 1 Whilst these figures are partially explained by the Government taking responsibility for outsourcing the helpline and directly resourcing residual funding of legal grants, it is not clear what the Government is planning to do with the remainder of the additional resources it looks set to gain. Without clarity on this matter, it is difficult to understand the balance of funding between the Home Office equalities budget and the Commission (£20.6m and £26m in 2014/15), as this does not seem to reflect either the breadth of the GEO's role or the Commission’s remit.
Mediation, conciliation and good relations 25. The Government’s equality strategy recognises that ‘while legislation has helped to enshrine people’s rights in law, more than legislation is needed to change people’s attitudes or behaviour to ensure those rights are not abused’. 26. Many of the most deep-seated issues which limit equality of opportunity and the enjoyment of human rights are complex and cannot be addressed directly by legislation alone. Limiting the Commission’s role to the regulation of specific legislation, which the Government is proposing in its consultation, will necessarily limit its ability to successfully address these issues.
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Cumulative changes in Home Office Equalities budget and EHRC funding as outlined in correspondence from GEO to EHRC dated 24 March 2011.
Year
2011/12 2012/13 2013/14 2014/15
Home Office Equalities budget Increase/ Decrease £ 2.4 5.7 5.8 5.5
Increase/ Decrease % 15.8 37.5 38.2 36.2
EHRC Increase/ Decrease £ -5.4 -11.7 -18.8 -26.5
Increase/ Decrease % -10.2 -22.2 -35.6 -50.2
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