Public bodies already have a legal responsibility to promote good race relations but not to promote good relations with people with disabilities. You cannot now discriminate against a worker on grounds of age but you can refuse to sell someone travel insurance because they are 'too old'.

These are just some of the inconsistencies in our equality laws. There are 9 major pieces of legislation on the subject, 100 statutory instruments and 2,500 pages of legal guidance.

Sorting this lot out is an opportunity to put a lot of anomalies right and make equality simple. That is what the proposed Equalities Bill will do.

Several people across High Peak have written to me recently about this, calling for an end to discrimination on the grounds of age when it comes to providing goods and services. This protection will be in the new law.

In employment, we will allow employers to take into account, when selecting between equally qualified candidates, under-representation of certain groups. For example, women and people from racial minorities could benefit from 'positive action'.

This is not simply 'political correctness' and nor is it 'positive discrimination'. It is a way to make sure that workforces reflect the make-up of our communities.

I particularly welcome the fact that companies which tender for government contracts will have to show that they are good employers on equality and practice non-discrimination.

And we will settle the equal pay for women issue for once and for all.

This Government has improved the protection of disabled people, racial and other minorities and women over the years.

This new Bill will bring that work together and usher in a new era of fairness and equality.