Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch says she will scrap the public sector equality duty (PSED) in a bid to counter pressure from Reform UK. In a speech, Badenoch argues that the duty is being used to advance “divisive agendas” and presents her proposal as responsible governance while responding to populist anger. The PSED is a legal requirement under the Equality Act 2010 that obliges public bodies to actively consider how their decisions and day-to-day work can promote equality and prevent discrimination affecting people with “protected characteristics,” including race, sex and disability. Badenoch, who previously served as Conservative minister for equalities from 2020 to 2022, frames the change as a repeal of the duty as a whole. Other outlets describe her approach as attacking the duty directly and calling for it to be removed in its entirety. The comments come as she seeks to fend off Reform UK’s political challenge by positioning the Conservatives as both orderly and aligned with voters critical of how equality rules are applied across public services.