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Question

Difficulty: MediumEqual Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination

The Equality Act 2010 simplified anti-discrimination laws by consolidating several pieces of older legislation into a single framework. Which of the following protected characteristics was the primary focus of the Equal Pay Act 1970, which required that men and women receive the same pay for the same work?

  1. A
    Race
  2. SexAnswer
  3. C
    Disability
  4. D
    Age

Answer

The correct answer is sex, as the Equal Pay Act 1970 was the milestone legislation that established the right to equal pay for equal work between men and women.
The correct answer is sex because the Equal Pay Act 1970 was the first major piece of UK legislation to mandate that men and women receive the same pay and benefits for equal work. This historical requirement is now maintained and strengthened as part of the 'sex' protected characteristic within the Equality Act 2010.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the goal of the specific act mentioned in the question.
The Equal Pay Act 1970 was created to ensure that men and women were paid equally for the same or similar work.
This act was a key historical development in the fight for women's rights in the UK workforce.
2
Map the subject of the 1970 Act to the 'protected characteristics' listed in the Equality Act 2010.
Protections related to men and women fall under the 'sex' characteristic.
The Equality Act 2010 brought together 9 protected characteristics, including sex, to provide a consistent legal framework.
3
Distinguish from other historical milestones.
Other acts like the Race Relations Act (1976) and Disability Discrimination Act (1995) covered different characteristics.
Understanding the timeline of these laws is essential for identifying the specific focus of the 1970 milestone.

Key Concept

History of Anti-Discrimination Laws and Protected Characteristics
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

Equal Opportunities and Anti-Discrimination

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