Race

Race issues are as relevant today as when the first laws came into being in 1976 to offer protection from racial discrimination.

As the UKs’ minority ethnic population grows it is important that race equality policies are reviewed to include new and emerging communities whilst supporting established minority ethnic groups.The United Kingdom has become a much more ethnically-diverse country over recent decades with 8% of the total population belonging to minority ethnic communities.
Whilst some ethnic minority groups have and continue to do well for themselves, contributing to the economy and society in general there are many more who despite progress do not. The experiences of different ethnic minority groups now vary very widely. For some the most important barriers to achievement are poor schooling and other institutional issues that offer a gateway to opportunity.

Legislation

The Race Relations Amendment Act (2000), following the inquiry into the death of black teenager Stephen Lawrence gave a general duty to all public authorities to have due regard to the need to promote race equality and ensure that they consult with representatives from minority ethnic communities and to take account of policies on minority ethnic groups.

There is a duty on all public authorities to monitor the actual impact of policies and services and take remedial action when necessary to address any unexpected or unwarranted disparities an to also monitor their workforce and employment practices to ensure that the procedures and practices are fair.

From April 2006 a new statutory code of practice on racial equality in employment issued by the Commission for Racial Equality comes into effect. The code is a set of recommendations and guidence on how to avoid unlawful discrimination and harressment in employment and it outilnes employers legal obligations.

Regional

For latest information in the South West go to our networks (age, disability, gender, race, faith and sexual orientation).