08. Discrimination when buying goods or services

It is unlawful for organisations to racially discriminate against you in the 'goods, facilities and services' they provide. This means refusing a service to you because of your race, or deliberately not providing it on the same terms and of the same quality. It covers things that are free, as well as those you pay for. It covers many businesses and services, including:

• shops
• public places, such as hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs and leisure centres;
• bank accounts, loans, credit cards and insurance;
• travel and transport services that are either public or offered by private companies and travel agents; and
• services supplied by local authorities (such as leisure services).

There are some types of organisations to which the Race Relations Act does not apply. These include voluntary bodies, care homes and charities whose main purpose is to provide services to a particular racial or ethnic group.

Discrimination by public authorities
Since April 2001 it has been unlawful for law-enforcement authorities to racially discriminate in the way they treat suspects or prisoners, for example. It covers, among other organisations:

• the police;
• government departments and local councils;
• tax inspectors;
• the probation service;
• the prison service; and
• Customs and Excise.

The law also applies to private companies carrying out a public role (for example, a private security company working for the prison service).

The Act also makes race discrimination by immigration officers unlawful, except where what they do is:

• specifically allowed by immigration laws; or
• authorised by a government minister.