The Government Equalities Office published research (by the National Institute of Economic and Social Research) on caste discrimination and harassment in Great Britain, providing an evidence base frequently cited in later policy debates.
Early media coverage highlighted what was described as one of the first UK employment-tribunal disputes framed around alleged caste discrimination, in the context of a workplace relationship spanning different caste backgrounds.
A high-profile employment tribunal hearing allegations including caste-based discrimination collapsed after the judge recused herself, underscoring procedural fragility and the difficulty of litigating caste-related issues in UK tribunals at the time.
During passage of the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013, Parliament amended Equality Act 2010 s.9(5) so a minister must make an order providing for caste to be an aspect of race (with review/repeal powers also set out).
An Employment Tribunal in Tirkey v Chandok refused to strike out a claim involving caste considerations, treating the allegations as potentially falling within the Equality Act 2010’s protected characteristic of race (via ethnic origins).
The Employment Appeal Tribunal (Langstaff J) held that caste discrimination claims may be arguable under the Equality Act 2010’s race provisions where the facts fall within “ethnic origins,” shaping later UK policy arguments about relying on case law rather than explicit statutory wording.
On the merits, the Employment Tribunal found serious mistreatment of a domestic worker and upheld claims including harassment on grounds of race (linked to ethnic origins with caste considerations) and indirect religion discrimination, awarding substantial compensation.
The Government Equalities Office announced that it would conduct a public consultation on how to ensure appropriate legal protection against caste discrimination, amid debate about whether to commence the Equality Act’s caste-related duty or rely on case law.
The Government Equalities Office launched the consultation “Caste in Great Britain and equality law”, seeking views on whether and how the Equality Act 2010 should explicitly address caste discrimination.
The consultation period was extended (including due to the 2017 general election/purdah) and ultimately closed on 2017-09-18, after substantial public and civil-society engagement.
In a Written Ministerial Statement, the Government published its response and an independent analysis, stating that it would invite Parliament to repeal the Equality Act 2010 s.9(5) duty, preferring reliance on developing case law for protection against caste discrimination.
The House of Commons Library published a research briefing consolidating the legal and policy background, including the 2013 duty to legislate, the Tirkey case law, the 2017 consultation, and the Government’s 2018 decision against further legislation.
Caste discrimination controversies and policy responses in the United Kingdom (1990–present)
