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Launched by Deputy Minister Jane Hutt MS, the objectives spell out how members of the WPBEP will work to improve the outcomes for people who share protected characteristics and those who don’t across Wales.

The partnership has developed a range of equality objectives which each organisation can choose to incorporate into their individual strategic equality plans. They include:

• increasing workforce diversity and inclusion
• eliminating pay gaps
• engaging with the community
• ensuring equality is embedded into the procurement/commissioning process and is managed throughout delivery; and
• ensuring service delivery reflects individual need.

To ensure the objectives truly reflect the picture in Wales, the Partnership undertook a robust consultation and engagement process during the autumn/winter of 2019, obtaining the views of both people with and without protected characteristics.

The launch was originally planned for the Spring of 2020, however, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this was postponed to March 2021.

The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, said “I want to thank all the members of the Wales Public Body Equality Partnership for your commitment to agreeing joint strategic equality objectives for 2020-2024. It is a huge achievement to unite eleven public bodies under shared equality objectives, and one which will help to accelerate progress towards a fairer, more equal Wales for the people we serve.

“I firmly believe that we can do more and achieve better results by working together to tackle inequalities. Together, we are stronger.”

David Anderson - Director General of Amgueddfa Cymru - National Museum Wales, said 

"I am delighted that Amgueddfa Cymru has come together with other public bodies to talk inequality in Wales. This SEP reinforces our determination to be a leader in this field, by promoting inclusive ways of working while further enhancing our engagement with the communities we serve."

This collective approach will allow members to share resources whilst also helping to impact against the challenges set out in the 'Is Wales Fairer report, 2018’, reflecting the principles of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act.

The objectives will also work to compliment the enactment of the Socio-economic Duty in working to reduce inequality of outcome and promote equality across Wales.

The WPBEP said “The Partnership was set up in a bid to take forward a collective approach to meeting the requirements of the Public Sector Equality Duty.

“Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed us in launching this approach which not only promotes smarter working, but also creates capacity for widening consistent stakeholder and community engagement.

“We are delighted to now unite behind these shared objectives, influence further collaborative working and share practice across the public sector and public services in Wales to significantly tackle inequalities.”

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Notes to editors

• The Wales Public Body Equality Partnership (WPBEP) was established in 2019 and is made up of the following organisations:
  • Health Education & Improvement Wales
  • Velindre University NHS Trust
  • Cardiff & Vale University Local Health Board
  • Sport Wales
  • Arts Council for Wales
  • Careers Wales
  • Higher Education Funding Council for Wales
  • Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales
  • Natural Resources Wales
  • Welsh Language Commissioner
  • Welsh Revenue Authority

• The 'Is Wales Fairer report, 2018' is a comprehensive review of how Wales is performing on equality and human rights.
• The Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015 requires public bodies in Wales to think about the long-term impact of their decisions, to work better with people, communities and each other, and to prevent persistent problems such as poverty, health inequalities and climate change.
• For a full list of the organisations which must comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty, please visit https://statswales.gov.wales/Catalogue/Equality-and-Diversity/Public-Sector-Equality-Duty.
• Under the Public Sector Equality Duty (PSED), which forms part of the Equality Act (2010), listed bodies in Wales are required to review their existing equality objectives at least every four years.
• Welsh Government published its Strategic Equality Plan and Objectives for Wales 2020 – 2024 in April 2020.

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