The Government Equalities Office (GEO) has published a list of the Equality Act 2010 provisions which will come into force on 1 October 2010. Stating that "the vast majority" of the Act's provisions will come into force on that date, the list includes:

• The "basic framework of protection against direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation in services and public functions; premises; work; education; associations, and transport".

• The new concept of "discrimination arising from disability", to restore the protection from “disability-related discrimination” lost as a result of Malcolm.

• Preventing employers from asking pre-employment health questions, except in specified circumstances (section 60).

• Making pay secrecy clauses unenforceable (section 77).

• New powers for employment tribunals to make recommendations in relation to the workforce as a whole (section 124).

• The general provisions allowing voluntary positive action (section 158).

The GEO also sets out provisions that it is still considering how to implement, including:

• Combined discrimination (section 14).

• Gender pay gap information (section 78).

• Provisions relating to positive action in recruitment and promotion (section 159).

Source: Equality Act 2010, Government Equalities Office