Petitions/Make Accents a Protected Characteristic under the Equality Act 2010
StatusClosed
Opened13 Mar 2025
Closes13 Sept 2025
Government response
Parliamentary debateNot eligible
Milestones

Currently, the UK constitution offers protection for minority groups under the Equality Act of 2010. Unfortunately, accent is not included as a characteristic within this despite the discrimination. 28% of Britons feel they have experienced prejudiced due to their accent.

To alter the Equality Act would simply be a piece of secondary legislation which could be carried out be Bridget Phillipson MP (Minister for Women and Equalities, Secretary of State for Education). In a society which is becoming increasingly diverse and aims to break down barriers, accent is holding us back. Received Pronunciation or the Queen's English is most notably favoured by many, including employers, taking away opportunities from those with more defined accents.

10,000
100,000

Constituency engagement ranking

Robert Jenrick
1Robert Jenrick MP
Newark
5
James Naish
2James Naish MP
Rushcliffe
2
Dan Jarvis
3Dan Jarvis MP
Barnsley North
1
Liam Conlon
4Liam Conlon MP
Beckenham and Penge
1
Damien Egan
5Damien Egan MP
Bristol North East
1
Baggy Shanker
6Baggy Shanker MP
Derby South
1
Steve Race
7Steve Race MP
Exeter
1
Mike Wood
8Mike Wood MP
Kingswinford and South Staffordshire
1
Alex Sobel
9Alex Sobel MP
Leeds Central and Headingley
1
David Smith
10David Smith MP
North Northumberland
1
Make Accents a Protected Characteristic under the Equality Act 2010 — Petitions