Red tape will be cut through a raft of reforms unveiled by the Home Secretary today.

The announcement follows a government-wide review of whether current legislation is achieving its aims. As part of the Red Tape Challenge, members of the public, businesses and industry experts were invited to scrutinise the Equality Act. They put forward recommendations for regulations which could be simplified, scrapped or clarified.

Home Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities Theresa May said:

"Bureaucracy and prescription are not routes to equality. Over-burdening businesses benefits no one, and real change doesn't come from telling people what to do. Today's announcement strikes the right balance between protecting people from discrimination and letting businesses get on with the job."

The measures announced today include:

• Repealing Third Party Harassment law, which will ensure employers are no longer liable for the harassment of an employee by a third party (for example, a customer). A consultation on this change is launched today.

• Reviewing the Public Sector Equality Duty - a legal obligation on public bodies to consider the impact of their decisions on different groups - to establish whether it is operating as intended.
• Repealing the Socio-Economic Duty - a legal obligation on public bodies to consider the impact of their decisions on social class.
• Tackling gold-plating and over-compliance by working with the British Chambers of Commerce to help small-and-medium-sized companies understand what they do and don't need to do in order to comply with the Equality Act.

• Repealing employment tribunals' 'wider recommendations' powers, which will remove the power of tribunals to recommend the introduction of, or changes to, policies that affect all of an employer's staff - not just the employee who brought the case. A consultation on this change is launched today.

• Scrapping bureaucratic information-gathering procedures. Special procedures were meant to increase settlements and reduce employment tribunal cases. Instead, they have led to more bureaucracy. A consultation on scrapping these procedures is launched today.

The government also unveiled reforms to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC):

• Repealing unnecessary powers and duties. Some of the EHRC's powers and duties under the Equality Act 2006 will be scrapped in order to help it focus on its core functions.
• Tighter financial controls. The EHRC will comply with government-wide spending rules - in particular, controls on recruitment, consultancy and marketing.
• Budget review. The EHRC's budget was cut by over half as part of the 2010 Spending Review. There will now be a comprehensive review of the remainder of the EHRC's budget, to be completed this autumn.
• New leadership. A new Chairman and a new, smaller Board will be recruited.

Equalities Minister Lynne Featherstone said:

"Since its creation the Equality and Human Rights Commission has struggled to deliver across its remit and has not demonstrated good value for money. Our reforms will provide it with a stronger focus and make it more accountable, helping it become the valued and respected national institution it was always intended to be."

for Transgender People

The Sibyls is a UK-based confidential Christian spirituality group for transgender people, and their supporters, offering companionship along the journey, and information/advocacy to churches.

Sibyls seek to fulfil the two great commandments of Jesus to love God and to one another. To achieve this we try to hold two retreats a year, in safe, friendly establishments, to provide an opportunity to meet, talk, learn, pray and seek God's will. We also produce a regular e-newsletter and offer a listening service for members.

If you are having difficulties reconciling your faith with being transgendered or are concerned about acceptance in your church then maybe Sibyls is just what you have been looking for.

It could be that you just need to talk with fellow Christians who understand what it is to be transgendered, or simply wish to be yourself as you worship and fellowship in a safe environment.

We welcome new members, young and old. There is no membership fee or annual subscription, and no commitment. Your details are held in total confidence and will not be given to any other members without your permission.

Sybils Weekend in Windermere - 18 to 20 May 2012

The Sibyls is a UK-based confidential Christian spirituality group for transgender people, and their supporters, offering companionship along the journey, and information/advocacy to churches. The group will meet for a weekend in Windermere on 18–20 May 2012.

To contact us in confidence, either write or send us an email.

Contact us by post at: BM Sibyls, London, WC1N 3XX

Contact us by email at: enquiries@sibyls.co.uk

http://www.sibyls.co.uk/

The National Transgender Celebration

Manchester

Friday 13 to Sunday 15 July 2012

Sparkle attracts people from right across the TG spectrum, from those who live full-time to those who may only have the chance to cross-dress on an occasional weekend.

A full schedule of events is planned throughout the weekend and the highlight for many is Sparkle in the Park on Saturday afternoon, with live performance on stage and trade/info stands.

Of course, there are also dozens of TG-friendly bars, clubs and restaurants in the Manchester Village so you can also do your own thing, meet up with old friends and make lots of new ones too!

Sparkle is the largest public celebration of Transgender in the world. We are very proud of how the event has grown over the last seven years and we would like to welcome you to come along and join the fun!

More information here

http://www.sparkle.org.uk/

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE PROGRAMME

What is spiritual discipline?

Spiritual discipline is a seven month programme looking at seven people from seven different faiths reflecting on spiritual practices and what they can offer you.

The spiritual disciplines being explored are fasting, meditation, study, solitude, celebration, worship and service. They will be looked at from the perspectives of individuals from Baha‘i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikh communities.

Introduction to spiritual discipline from the Moderator, Rev David Arnott:

"There are so many ways in which we may approach the mystery that is God. You may find some work more effectively than others for some reason. Temperament, attitude, health, education, upbringing, personal needs all condition who we are on any given occasion. If you then couple any of these with where individuals are on their own journey of faith you begin to realise the variety of attitudes that we all bring to our quest for God.”

"I commend to you, therefore, the variety of these disciplines. Undoubtedly some will appeal more than others, but do give them all a try. I am sure you will find different disciplines will speak in different ways at different times, but all will enrich and encourage your faith."

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CHURCH OF SCOTLAND

SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE RESOURCES

Fasting Resources (click here)

In a society obsessed with fast food, fasting for many is an alien concept. It is a concept that often divides opinion within the Church and yet there is a strong Biblical tradition of fasting. We are told that Moses, David, Elijah, Esther, Daniel, Anna, Paul, and Jesus Christ all fasted.

Throughout Scripture, fasting refers to ‘abstaining from food for spiritual purposes’, which was used as a tool to turn people’s attention to God. When feeling hunger pains, a person’s concentration is automatically drawn to the present moment and they might begin to ask the question, "What are my real needs?” This in turn might lead to, "What is it that other people need?” and, along the way, "What is it that God is asking me to share or let go?”

Celebration (click here)

What do you think of when you hear the word ‘celebration’? The author of our first article, Maggie Lunan, perhaps sums up the view of many people when she explains that it is, "about becoming aware of what gives me life, what gives me joy and what gives me energy, and ensuring that this forms part of every day”. Think of the things in your life that bring you joy and energy. It could be that you find your energy in sporting activities and are looking forward to the forthcoming Olympics or the climax of the football season. Or, maybe you are looking forward to the Queen’s Jubilee celebrations. For others, celebrations remind them of significant milestones, from a special birthday to a wedding anniversary. Many people find joy and energy from sharing in a special occasion in a family member or friend’s life. In our own office we find happiness and togetherness with our colleagues by celebrating one another’s birthdays, which normally takes the form of sharing a cake and laughter

The Church of Scotland Spiritual Discipline Programme includes articles on Celebration by BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) UK and Fasting by Triratna Buddhist Order, Manchester UK, and a video clip on fasting by Venerable K Sri Rewatha Thero (Scottish Buddhist Vihara), UK.

CELEBRATION

Articles Buddhism

The Buddhist Festival of Vesak

Jacquetta Gomes, Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada), UK

FASTING

Articles

Buddhism

Fasting: a Buddhist perspective:

Munisha: Triratna Buddhist Order, Manchester, UK

Video Clip

Venerable K Sri Rewatha Thero (Scottish Buddhist Vihara), UK

The Church of Scotland

121 George Street

Edinburgh

Scotland

EH2 4YN

Telephone 0131 225 5722

Please click on this link for the CoS Website Spiritual Discipline Section