My petition calls on the Government to: - Integrate the Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS) into the EHRC. - Restore the EHRC’s statutory duty to provide legal advice, conciliation, and strategic casework.

In 2010 the EHRC’s helpline and conciliation services were removed. Reports indicate that this, along with cuts to legal aid, resulted in a 50% reduction in the number of disability discrimination claims. In 2016 the House of Lords Select Committee on the Equality Act 2010 and Disability called for: 1. return of the EASS helpline to the EHRC 2. restoration of conciliation and direct legal advice. 3. integration of helpline data into strategic enforcement. 4.development of in-person and accessible legal support. We feel these changes are long overdue.