Source · Select Committees · Women and Equalities Committee
2nd Report - Misogyny in music
Women and Equalities Committee
HC 129
Published 30 January 2024
Recommendations
4
Rejected
Bring Section 14 of the Equality Act into force to protect against intersectional discrimination.
Recommendation
Section 14 of the Equality Act 2010 which provides protection from discrimination on the basis of a combination of two relevant protected characteristics presents a limited understanding of how overlapping characteristics are used to discriminate against individuals and prevent the …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to bring section 14 of the Equality Act into force, stating it is unnecessary as courts already allow multiple claims and robust protections exist.
Government Equalities Office
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9
Rejected
Bring forward legislation to allow self-employed parents to share non-consecutive parental leave and pay.
Recommendation
Reform of parental leave for freelancers is overdue. The current system places the burden of childcare onto the mother and offers no financial support for self-employed fathers or same-sex partners wanting to share childcare responsibilities. The Government should bring forward …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to introduce legislation allowing self-employed parents to share parental leave and pay, stating there are no current plans to introduce such entitlements for self-employed fathers or partners. It clarifies existing support for employed parents and general benefits.
Government Equalities Office
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11
Rejected
Extend Equality Act protections to all freelancers and lengthen discrimination claim limitation periods.
Recommendation
The Government should bring forward legislative proposals to extend the protections relating to discrimination and harassment in the Equality Act 2010 to include all freelancers. Limitation periods for Equality Act-based discrimination and sexual harassment claims should be extended to six …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to extend Equality Act protections to all freelancers, stating there are no current plans to change or extend the Act in this area. It clarifies which freelancers are currently covered and acknowledges it is 'looking closely' at extending the limitation period for claims.
Government Equalities Office
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15
Rejected
License all commercial recording studios, including sexual harassment risk assessments and clear reporting pathways.
Recommendation
A recording studio should be a safe space for all those who work there. Frequently this is not the case, and commercial self-interest is prioritised over personal safety. We recommend that all commercial recording studios should be licensed. That licensing …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the recommendation to introduce new licensing requirements for commercial recording studios, stating it has no plans to do so. It welcomes the industry-led Creative Industries Independent Standards Authority as an alternative to ensure safe workplaces.
Government Equalities Office
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16
Rejected
Government weakening of Worker Protection Act leaves vulnerable women exposed to sexual harassment.
Recommendation
The Government’s weakening of the Worker Protection Act 2023 has let down women already vulnerable to sexual abuse and harassment in insecure work settings. While we welcome the duty on employers to take ‘reasonable steps’ to protect their employees from …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects the call to reintroduce employer liability for third-party harassment, stating it has no current plans to do so. It highlights the Worker Protection (Amendment of Equality Act 2010) Act 2023, which introduces a duty on employers to prevent sexual harassment.
Government Equalities Office
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19
Rejected
Condition public funding and licensing of music venues on tackling sexual harassment and abuse.
Recommendation
Public funding and licensing of music venues should be made conditional on those premises taking steps to tackle gender bias, sexual harassment and abuse. This should include the training of venue staff by accredited organisations that work in the sector. …
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Government Response Summary
The government rejects making public funding and licensing conditional on music venues tackling sexual harassment, stating it is up to individual businesses to decide on staff training. They encourage venues to partner with specialist organizations and highlight existing guidance for licensing authorities to consider these issues.
Government Equalities Office
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Conclusions (1)
28
Conclusion
Rejected
CIISA is not a panacea for all of the problems of discrimination, harassment and abuse in the industry. It is not a statutory body. Reforms to the Equality Act 2010 remain essential in order for freelance workers to be adequately protected from discrimination. Ultimately, CIISA’s effectiveness will be judged on …
Government Response Summary
The government recognises freelancers but states there are no plans to change or extend the Equality Act 2010 for them at present, explaining that many freelancers are already covered. It is, however, looking into extending the time limit for bringing claims.