About GEO

The Government Equalities Office (GEO) takes the lead in government on issues relating to women and gender equality, sexual orientation and transgender equality matters and leads on the Equality Act 2010 .

 GEO is responsible for the Government’s overall strategy on equality issues and aims to improve equality and reduce discrimination and disadvantage for all, at work, in public and political life, and in people’s life chances. The GEO also leads on the Government’s international obligations to implement the UN Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) and the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action; as well as the Government’s obligations to implement the EU Roadmap for Equality between Women and Men.

GEO works across government with representation separate to the Home Office at key Cabinet committee official and inter-Departmental discussions as appropriate.

We work closely with:

• The Department for Communities and Local Government, who lead on race and faith policy and the community agenda;

• The Department for Work and Pensions, who lead on disability discrimination policy and legislation and general age policy outside the workplace for the time being;

• The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, who have responsibility for the Equality Act’s provisions relating to further and higher education and age exceptions to the Act’s working provisions;

• The Department for Education, who are responsible for the Equality Act’s provisions relating to schools; and

• The Department for Transport, who are responsible for the Equality Act’s provisions on disability and transport and in relation to ships and hovercraft.

We also work closely with:

• The Ministry of Justice, who lead on human rights law and policy; and

• The devolved administrations in Wales and Scotland

  • GEO Resource Accounts

The GEO Resource Accounts for 2009 - 2010 was laid before parliament in July 2010.

  • GEO Autumn Performance Report

The GEO Performance report will be published in the summer.