Labour 'class equality' rules could see experienced nurses, teachers and police officers lose out on pay rises

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The Conservatives have branded the move a 'war on the middle class' amid fears veteran frontline workers could be squeezed

Labour has been accused of waging a "war on the middle class" over new equality rules that could ultimately leave experienced nurses, teachers and police officers losing out on pay rises.

The Government is preparing to activate Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010, which has remained dormant in England since the legislation was passed 16 years ago.

The socioeconomic duty will require public bodies to give "due regard" to inequalities caused by socioeconomic disadvantage when making major strategic decisions.

Conservatives have expressed fear that middle-income Britons could be disadvantaged when resources are allocated across services including policing, schools and healthcare.

Ministers have rejected that interpretation, insisting the policy is intended to improve opportunities for poorer communities rather than reduce services for others.

But Scotland, where the comparable Fairer Scotland Duty has operated since 2018, offers an indication of how the principle could affect public-sector pay.

Scottish equality assessments have supported policies giving larger increases to lower-paid workers while limiting rises further up the salary scale.

An official assessment said targeting greater increases at lower earners could reduce income inequality alongside "continued restraint applied to higher earners".

The framework covers public bodies employing NHS staff, teachers, police officers and firefighters, although individual employers retain flexibility over pay arrangements.

It raises the prospect that experienced frontline workers in England could receive smaller percentage rises than lower-paid colleagues if public bodies adopt a similar approach.

However, Section 1 does not itself require employers to restrain higher earners' pay and ministers will not impose a national formula dictating how the duty is applied.

Scottish assessments have argued that prioritising lower earners can also reduce other inequalities because women, disabled people, younger workers and people from minority ethnic backgrounds are disproportionately represented among lower-paid staff.

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Previous assessments acknowledged that restraining higher earners risked indirect discrimination but concluded it could be justified by the policy's wider objectives.

Concerns have also been raised about the potential consequences for other public services.

The Spectator reported that the duty could result in reduced bin collections or potholes going unrepaired in more affluent areas.

An official involved in the consultation told the magazine: "The Equality Act attempts to have equality of opportunity, not equality of outcome. Trying to socially engineer equality of outcome goes against the Equality Act."

The Government says the rules could instead result in measures such as routing buses through social housing estates and improving access to family hubs for poorer communities.

Schools and children in deprived areas could also receive additional support to participate in the Government's free educational visits programme.

Successive Conservative-led governments declined to activate Section 1 after the Equality Act became law in 2010.

Women and Equalities Minister Bridget Phillipson has also announced a new Government unit aimed at improving outcomes for working-class people, with a particular focus on white working-class communities.

A Government spokesman said: "Too many people are held back by their background. That’s why we are commencing Section 1 of the Equality Act 2010 in England to shatter the class ceiling.

"This is about hardworking British people getting a fair chance in life. We are working with public bodies to ensure the socioeconomic duty effectively tackles the barriers working-class people face."