The UK is a very diverse country and this is something that benefits companies based here. By having people with different life experiences and backgrounds, a company can gain better insight into the market they are operating in and serve its diverse customers better, as well as having more ideas to draw on.

It is illegal in the UK to discriminate when recruiting people based on disability, gender, sexual orientation, age, race or other factors that could see some people at a disadvantage for a job they are equally qualified and able to do.

Naturally, there are limitations to this when a job has physical requirements. For instance, to do a driving job, one would need to be medically allowed to drive and hold a valid license, so it is not discrimination if this kind of job is not available to someone with epilepsy or who is partially sighted. Equally, it would not be regarded legally as racial discrimination if someone who doesn't speak fluent English is not considered for a job where this is required.

For most jobs, however, the laws protecting those who are in a minority but are equally able to do a job, are there to ensure you won't be treated differently to any other applicant.