Add “accent” as a protected characteristic under Section 4 of the Equality Act

• Petition
• Statistics
• Map

Petition Action

Add “accent” as a protected characteristic under Section 4 of the Equality Act

Petition Details

We believe accent bias harms regional speakers, working-class people and immigrants in jobs and daily life. It could limit opportunities and lead to harassment, yet the Equality Act offers no protection. Parliament should amend Section 4 to add accent as a protected characteristic.

Additional Information

Accent can be a marker of socioeconomic status, yet we believe that UK law leaves regional speakers and many legal immigrants from non-English-speaking countries unprotected unless their accent links to nationality. Accent bias may block job opportunities, promotions and mobility, keeping Received Pronunciation (RP) dominant and limiting the UK’s talent potential. Adding an accent to section 4 of the Equality Act could close this gap and protect millions.

If you want to sign this petition (as opposed to merely discuss it), you need to do that on the government's e-Petitions website.

Sign this petition
at petition.parliament.uk

Have your say on this petition!