What are current equal opportunities in the UK - and what are the future impacts?

Equal Opportunities in the UK has seen significant changes in recent years - this mainly due to government legislation and an active Trade Union involvement. Could anybody help me identify relevant changes i.e. Race Relations, [***] Discrimination, Ageism, Equality of Women - how has this affected business? Cost factors maybe - or increase in employees going to Industrial Tribunals? How has this also impacted companies i.e. productivity, profitability, etc?

If you need to clarify any of the above - please email me.

Thank you for your help!

Darren Cairns