The Equality Bill (HCB 72, session 2004-05, ISBN 0215705475), published in March 2005, contains provisions to establish a new single body called the Commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) to take over the work of the existing equality Commissions (the Equal Opportunities Commission, the Commission for Racial Equality, and the Disability Rights Commission). The CEHR will also assume responsibility for promoting equality and combating unlawful discrimination in relation to sexual orientation, religion and age, as well as providing, for the first time, institutional support for the promotion of human rights in the delivery of public services. The Committee concludes that the Bill represents the most important measure for the advancement of human rights in the UK since the Human Rights Act, and broadly supports its provisions in relation to the CEHR's functions, powers and structure and in enhancing human rights and equality.
However, the report highlights some areas of concern, including the need for a general public sector human rights duty, powers in relation to Convention and non-Convention rights, the accountability of the Commission to Parliament and its status and independence from government, and provisions relating to harassment on grounds of religion or belief.