EQUALITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION HELPLINE

Early day motion 1119, tabled 17 March 2009 by John McDonnell (Labour). Signed by 43 members.

That this House notes with concern the Equality and Human Rights Commission's proposal to cut 50 posts from the Helpline Advice Service and to close down its Manchester helpline team; believes that the decision is ill-timed with the number of calls to the Equality and Human Rights Commission helpline increasing due to the recession; further notes with concern that women, people from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled people and carers will be particularly disadvantaged by the decision; and therefore calls on the Equality and Human Rights Commission to review its plans and to do more to promote the service so that those people already at a disadvantage are not further disadvantaged by such inopportune cutbacks.

Signatures by party: Labour 33, Liberal Democrat 8, Independent 1, Plaid Cymru 1.