Trade secretary Patricia Hewitt

Ministers have unveiled plans for a new Commission for Equality and Human Rights.

The government proposed an amalgamation of the Disabilities Rights Commission, Equal Opportunities Commission and Commission for Racial Equality into a new, super-watchdog.

The new commission will also deal with age, religious and sexual orientation discrimination as new EU human rights laws come into force.

Trade secretary Patricia Hewitt, who doubles as minister for women, made a joint statement to parliament with constitutional affairs secretary Lord Falconer on the changes on Thursday.

Hewitt said minority rights were not just "a minority concern".

"But tackling discrimination in the 21st century requires a joined-up approach that puts equality in the mainstream of concerns," she said.

"As individuals, our identities are diverse, complex and multi-layered. People don't see themselves as solely a woman, or black, or gay and neither should our equality organisations.

"By bringing these bodies into one organisation we will make life much easier for individuals to get help and advice, especially when they are discriminated against on more than one level."

Lord Falconer added that the new body would "champion human rights good practice and responsibilities throughout the public sector, reducing the need to go to court over problems".

However Disabilities Rights Commission chairman Bert Massie spoke out ahead of the announcement following press reports predicting the upheaval.

A single equalities "gateway" organisation would not cope with the range issues, he claimed.

"There would be a lot of anxiety among the discriminated groups," Massie added.

But he later backtracked, saying the specialist needs of people with disabilities would be recognised.

"The announcement...signals the first decisive step towards the formation of a single body to tackle discrimination and disadvantage in Britain for all its citizens," he said."The government has taken on board many of the arguments that the DRC has made to ensure a distinctive presence for disability in the new commission and to guarantee that the specialisms and expertise developed over three years is maintained."