The Equality Act 2010 is now in force, but the provisions relating to age discrimination by service providers is not due to become effective until April 2012 at the earliest.

Those setting admission prices (and offering discounts to children and senior citizens) can note:

• Age discrimination will be extended to service providers, but not until detailed regulations have been agreed (likely to be on or after April 2012);
• The Act explicitly excludes children and young people from legal protection from unfair discrimination on the grounds of age;
• Some service delivery will also be excluded, but the scope of those exclusions is not known (likely to relate to financial services, health care and the travel industry);
• The government does not intend to stop service providers from providing benefits to some age groups if it is “beneficial or justifiable or for good public policy reasons”. The new rules (according to guidance published by the Government Equalities Office) will not stop, for example, free bus passes for older people.

On that basis, free or reduced entry to venues would seem to be acceptable. Further updates will be published here when the regulations are passed.