Dozens of charities have lined up to sign our open letter, calling on the Government to abandon its planned changes to the Human Rights Act.

So far, sixty have put their name to the document, which is urging ministers to reconsider axing the much-needed Human Rights Act.

We write: “The Human Rights Act is at the epi-centre of a framework of rights and entitlements complemented by the Equality Act, Care Act, Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, Liberty Protection Safeguards, Mental Health Act, Mental Capacity Act, related legislation in the devolved nations and Safeguarding.”

The plan by the Government would see the Human Rights Act replaced with a British Bill of Rights.

They say this will reinforce “our freedoms under the rule of law” and “provide a clearer demarcation of the separation of powers between the courts and Parliament”.

But we say the proposed changes will offer “opt-outs to public authorities to pick and choose whose rights they supported” and “significantly reduce the legal responsibilities” that the Government has towards them. And we are genuinely concerned about what the change in the legislation could mean for our staff, service users and those interested in the work we do.

POhWER Chief Executive, Helen Moulinos, said: “As charity leaders we see inequality every day and often support people, empower them, educate them to know their rights, options and insist they are treated as equal people in our society.

“Sadly, our society remains unfair and unequal – the millions of people who sought support through our Charities should serve as a significant reminder that the Human Rights Act 1998 and other protection laws are not currently being necessarily always upheld by local and central government bodies.

“Independent scrutiny, challenge, and freedom for people to empower themselves is a fundamental part of our society and democracy.

“Thanks to the Human Rights Act as advocates, we are able to independently challenge public authorities that support us in our everyday lives. The Human Rights Act is for all of, everyone single one of us. To lose the Human Rights Act would be a great loss for the people of the UK and set us back decades in time.”