The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report – Avenues response
Thursday 22nd of April 2021On 31st March the Commission on Race Equalities and Ethnic Disparities published their report in the UK. The research and investigation into the current state of race relations in the UK was requested by Prime Minister Boris Johnson following the Black Lives Matter protests of Summer 2020.
The report looked at race differences in four key areas; education and training; employment, fairness at work and enterprise; crime and policing and health. It investigated some of the most common causes cited as holding back equality of opportunity namely; ethnicity, socio-economic background and culture and degree of integration.
According to Chair of the commission, Dr Tony Sewell CBE, the report intends “to provide the UK with a road map for racial fairness”.
The commission concluded that although they “do not believe the UK is yet a post-racial society” that it had gone a long way towards equality of opportunity.
However the report has been widely criticised by racial equality campaigners. Black Lives Matter UK tweeted that it was ‘disappointed’ that the report overlooked inequalities in the criminal justice system. The trade union organisation GMB has said that the report ignores black and ethnic minority workers concerns.
Following the publication of the report Avenues’ Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering Group (EDI) will be looking at its findings, and the reaction of communities, in more detail.
“The group will be addressing the issues raised with a diverse range of people across the organisation, particularly those which are relevant to employment, the workplace and training. Everyone has a part to play in the journey to equality of opportunity and we are all working together at Avenues to create sustainable policies and practices” said Chair of the group Kara Lang.
Chief Executive Jo Land added; “Avenues is wholly committed to furthering our ambition to be a truly inclusive organisation and the role of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Steering group has to play in progressing this cannot be underestimated. However we all, as members of the Avenues community, have a contribution to make and how we treat our colleagues and the people that we support underpins our values of Respect, Pride, Integrity and Excellence.”
The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities full report can be found at:-