BREXIT offers an opportunity to embed equality into law and policy in the UK, according to a new report by the UK Parliament’s Women and Equalities Committee.

It is calling for a clause to be included in the Great Repeal Bill that explicitly commits to maintaining the current levels of equality protection when EU law is transposed into UK law.

The report also recommends the government ring-fence funds to ensure EU-funded equalities research projects can continue without disruption, and develops a cross-government equality strategy.

Maria Miller MP, chair of the committee, said: “If the government wants to maintain the current level of equality protection for vulnerable groups including pregnant women and disabled travellers, it must take active steps to embed equality into UK law.

“Our recommendations would go a long way to ensuring that the UK retains a strong and undiminished record of equality after it leaves the EU.”