A race audit by the Prime Minister Theresa May shows that unemployment rate for Black and Asian people is almost double of what it is for white people. The Prime Minister said this report would “hold a mirror up to society” next week when it is officially published, and pledges to confront 'uncomfortable truths' exposed in a review on how black and minority ethnic people are treated in Britain. May has been accused by the community of failing to take the issue of racism within public services seriously, after postponing the publication of this “explosive” report to October.
Initial findings from the “Race Disparity Audit” show that the unemployment rate for black, Asian and other ethnic minority (BAME) people of working age is 8%, nearly double the 4.6% rate for white British groups. Employment rates overall are far higher for white people, at 75.7%, than BAME groups, where the figure is 63.9%.
May had called for the audit when she first entered Downing Street, and it is expected to reveal how people from different backgrounds are treated in areas such as employment, health, education, and the criminal justice system, according to reports. The audit is said to reveal a complex picture, as there are big differences in outcomes for ethnicities in different parts of the country, as well as significant disparities between different ethnic minority groups.
While two in three white British householders own their own home, the figure for other ethnic groups is just two in five people. May spoke about the findings as the Conservatives continued their annual conference in Manchester, as we went to press.
The audit is a be part of May’s “fight against justice”, which she pledged in her first speech before becoming prime minister.
May said, “In doing this ground-breaking work we are holding a mirror up to our society.”.
“The idea itself is not new, Charles Booth’s maps of rich and poor areas in Victorian London drew attention to hardship that was too often hidden, but this focus on how ethnicity affects people’s lives will present findings that are uncomfortable.”
The data from the audit will be expanded over time, allowing people to see how services are performing in individual communities.
“Britain has come a long way in my lifetime in spreading equality and opportunity, but this audit will be definitive evidence of how far we must go in order to truly build a country that works for everyone,” she added.
To address some of these initial findings, the Prime Minister is to set out targeted action in areas where there are big gaps in employment. They will include expanding successful mentoring programmes to help people into work, and working with employers large and small to help close the employment gap, including in identifying good recruitment practices.
Labour MP Seema Malhotra criticised the government for delaying this report not just by months, but several years. She told the Asian Voice, “Anyone with a genuine interest in equality issues will know that we have persistent and structural race inequality in this country. After seven years some will ask about the motivse of the Tories in bringing this forward now – and might question whether this is also driven by the Tories losing BAME votes at the election.
“The Tories took away targets to increase ethnic diversity on the boards of our public bodies – so vital for ensuring we design and deliver the best public services. I welcome this audit but the PM needs to do so much more. Her record has been more to unwind our progress than take it forwards. Labour has a strong track record of fighting for change to see greater social and economic equality. To tackle inequality is the job of Government and I hope this will inform better debate and action not words by the Tories.”
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Vince Cable has challenged Theresa May to act on the findings of the race audit. He in a statement told Asian Voice, “This audit shows that prejudice and bias based on the colour of someone’s skin continues to blight people’s life chances, and this is utterly unacceptable in 21st century Britain. It is not right that our BAME friends and neighbours are far less likely to have a job or own their home - it is an unfairness that should have ended long ago.
"This audit lays out the challenges we face as a society which cross party lines. They will only be overcome if we all work together. Theresa May’s decision to shine a light on this issue means she can't now shy away from tackling the causes of this inequality – cuts to public services and a shrinking state. Tackling inequality will need the devotion of all her ministers.
"Where ministers act, they will in turn have our support. Where they hesitate, we will push, cajole and confront them until they do the right thing."
Rebecca Hilsenrath, Equality and Human Rights Commission Chief Executive, reportedly said: "No matter how uncomfortable the findings, we must not shy away from them.
"Race inequality is entrenched in our society and we need to stop deluding ourselves that it will somehow improve without sustained and coordinated effort on our part.
"We urgently need a comprehensive race strategy bringing in all parts of government to face these inequalities head on and ensure black and minority ethnic people are not left behind.”
Dawn Butler, Shadow Minister for Diverse Communities, had initially said the delay in publishing the report, indicated that the Government was failing to take the issue of racial disparity seriously, and accused Ms May of “shying away” from “difficult truths”.
The London Mayor Sadiq Khan who is aware of the lack of BAME representation and glass ceilings, has called on broadcasting regulator Ofcom to adopt new measures to improve the current lack of diversity in the UK’s broadcasting industry. Sadiq has also recently published his Vision for a Diverse and Inclusive City for consultation, the results of which will inform the development of the Mayor’s new Diversity and Inclusion strategy, due to be published in the New Year. This strategy will ensure that the Greater London Authority promotes equality for groups protected by the Equality Act, as well as other groups that face disadvantage.
Khan said: “The creative industries are at the heart of London’s culture and economy and put the UK in a leading position on the global stage. The world looks to the UK as a beacon of diversity and so it’s vitally important that the work of our broadcasting industry truly reflects the lives and realities of our entire population.
“More importantly, Ofcom should hold broadcasters to account and ensure that BAME people are properly reflected both on and off-screen through jobs in production and by taking up senior editorial and commissioning positions within the industry.
“This year marks the 30th anniversary of Black History Month in the UK. BAME communities contribute so much to the life and soul of London and the whole of the UK. It’s time our broadcasters step up to the plate and redouble their efforts to be properly representative of the UK population as a whole.”
