ENFORCEMENT OF THE SOCIO-ECONOMIC DUTY IN SECTION 1 OF THE EQUALITY ACT 2010

That this House notes with deep concern the high levels of income and wealth inequality in the UK; notes the Trussell Trust figures which show 660,000 people in the UK are relying on foodbanks, up 13 per cent on 2016-17; commends the Scottish Government for bringing into force the socio-economic duty in Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010 in April 2018; notes the progress to commence the socio-economic duty in Wales; welcomes the efforts of some local authorities to implement the socio-economic duty in their budgets and strategic planning and calls on all local authorities to do so; commends the work of Thrive Teeside and ATD Fourth World UK; and calls on the Government to bring Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010 into effect including listening to and drawing on the experience of those who have lived in poverty.