Direct discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably than another person because of a protected characteristic

Example:
A care home always gives smaller portions of food to women living in the care home and larger portions to men because they believe men have bigger appetites. This is irrespective of individual needs or preferences. This is direct discrimination against women living in the care home, on the grounds of sex.

Indirect discrimination happens when there is a rule, a policy or even a practice that applies generally but which particularly disadvantages people who share a protected characteristic.