Definitions for equity, diversity and inclusion

Equality requires that everyone has equal access to the same resources and opportunities.

Equity recognises that everyone is not the same and provides the appropriate resources and opportunities to address inequality.

Diversity celebrates people from a wide variety of backgrounds. It is reflective of the wider community.

Inclusion creates an environment where everyone feels accepted and welcome.

Ethnicity is the quality of belonging to a population group or subgroup made up of people who share a common cultural background or descent.

Protected characteristics includes the characteristics in the list below. In the UK, it is against the law to discriminate against anyone because of:

• age
• gender reassignment
• being married or in a civil partnership
• being pregnant or on maternity leave
• disability
• race including colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin
• religion or belief
• sex
• sexual orientation