Scotland could become a “world leader” in equalities if Holyrood is handed complete control over this area of legislation, the SNP has claimed.
Nationalists want changes to be made to the Scotland Bill to devolve responsibility for equal opportunities to MSPs.
The UK Government has said the new law, which is being brought as a result of the Smith Commission on devolution, will allow ministers in Edinburgh to set gender quotas for public boards.
But the SNP is calling on MPs to back its amendments to the Bill, which would transfer complete control over equalities legislation to Holyrood – a move which has the support of campaign groups.
Angela Crawley MP, the SNP spokeswoman for equalities, women and children, argued: “Devolving equality powers to the Scottish Parliament would enable Scotland to build on its growing reputation as a world leader on equality.
“Tory and Labour MPs should back the SNP amendments to the Scotland Bill, and listen to Scotland’s respected equality charities who have made clear that they want the Scottish Parliament to have these powers so that it can make Scotland a fairer and more equal country.”
She added: “The Scottish Parliament has consistently shown itself to be a leading light on equality using the limited powers that it currently has, but if Scotland had full devolution of equality law we would be able to go further to address the inequalities in the law and society, including by improving anti-discrimination law and pursuing progressive policies such as gender quotas on boards. ”
Bill Scott, director of policy at the disability charity Inclusion Scotland, said: “When we consulted disabled people over what powers should be devolved to Scotland they were very clear that they wanted to see responsibility for all Equality Law being passed to the Scottish Parliament.
“They felt that Westminster had been giving them a pretty raw deal in recent years and that the Equality Act had actually reduced their rights and figured that it would be difficult for Holyrood to do worse.
“Whilst we welcome the limited equalities powers coming to Scotland they will not in themselves be able to tackle the appalling inequalities and discrimination that disabled people face”.
The Equality Network, which campaigns for equality for LGBTI people, also backed the move.
Director Tim Hopkins said: “The Equality Network has always believed that Scotland would be able to make more progress on equality if equality law itself was devolved. We have been calling for that since 1998, because it would allow more appropriate and effective equality legislation for Scotland’s specific needs.”
Emma Ritch, executive director of gender equality charity Engender, said that “devolving equality would enable Scotland to respond better to persistent gender inequalities, by aligning anti-discrimination law with our distinct public sector architecture”
Meanwhile Jatin Haria, executive director of the Coalition for a Racial Equality and Rights (CRER), said: “Devolution brings power closer to people – and this is particularly important for marginalised and discriminated groups.
“In addition, many areas which intersect with equality law are already devolved and different in Scotland (e.g. policing or health) and further devolution of equality legislation would better allow the Scottish Parliament to push for specific outcomes which could lead to real improvements in the life chances and experiences for all people living in Scotland.”
A UK Government spokesman said: “There is no doubt that Great Britain as a whole benefits from a harmonised, universal set of equality legislation.
“The equal opportunities provisions in the Scotland Bill implement in full the Smith Commission Agreement which all the political parties in Scotland signed up to.
“We are strengthening the Bill by making clear that the Scottish Parliament will be able to set gender quotas for the boards of public bodies in Scotland.
“The UK Government will continue to pursue our ambitious gender equality agenda which includes closing the gender pay gap and ensuring that no companies in the FTSE 350 have all-male boards.”