Positive discrimination is legal in the UK.
On 1 October 2010, general positive action provisions came into force.These replicate provisions in earlier legislation and allow employers to target measures such as dedicated training to groups, such as women or people from ethnic minorities, who are under-represented or disadvantaged in the workplace, or to meet their particular needs.
The remaining positive action provisions, relating specifically to recruitment and promotion in employment, come into force on 6 April 2011.
Positive action provisions mean that it is not unlawful discrimination to take special measures aimed at alleviating disadvantage or under-representation
Example: An employer has very few women in its senior management team. Under the general positive action provisions it offers a development programme which is only open to women to help female staff compete for management positions. This is not unlawful discrimination against male staff, because it is allowed by the positive action provisions.