There has been a call for more training in diversity legislation after a survey of HR staff found that just 10% had been trained in the new laws.

The survey by e-learning specialist fuel Group questioned 293 HR managers and executives from the public and private sector.

It found that just 9% of the private sector and 11% of the civil service HR staff had been trained in the new laws, which came into force last month.

In terms of diversity training over-all, 15% of the private sector staff had received some diversity training, compared to half of the public sector executives, making a total of 33%.

There were big differences over awareness of the new regulations. 40% of the public sector staff were aware of them, yet only 22% of those in commerce had heard of them, resulting in 31% of the sample in total.

Steve Dineen, chief executive of fuel Group said: "The Government needs to increase awareness among HR staff if this legislation is to be implemented successfully through companies and the public sector."