A lot done, a lot to do
at 11:15pm
on Wednesday, 19th September 2007
As the CRE winds down, the new mega equalities commission for Equality and Human Rights (CEHR) prepares to take up its role as custodian of the race equality agenda. It will share space in the CEHR with the territory previously covered by the Equal Opportiunities Commission and the Disability Rights Commission.
Not surprisingly, each of the disappearing commissions is concerned that its agenda is given proper (and equal) importance under the new umbrella. But it is fair to say that the CRE's worries may be more justified than the others, and that it has more to lose. While the debate about equal pay and working conditions rages publicly, and the legislative agenda on disability continues apace, the debate about equality for ethnic minority communities is in danger of getting lost in a more general, and polarised, debate around immigration and identity.
As part of its legacy, the CRE has just published 'A lot done, a lot to do - our vision for an integrated Britain'. It's an appropriate title for a pamphlet on a set of challenges in which considerable (albeit slow) progress has been made, but where some of the statistics also remain appalling. Most stark is the criminal justice system. While the number of ethnic minority police officers increased from 2 to 3.5 per cent between 1989 and 2004, in 2005 25 per cent of the prison population was from ethnic minority groups. Figures like that, which the pamphlet offers in abundance, should shatter any complacency we have developed in this area.
It is vital that organisations like Demos, and others regardless of political affiliation, continue to give this set of issues a proper hearing. Whether in the context of public space and interaction between communities, security, or cultural representation these inequalities need to be challenged through rigourous thought and concerted action. This is an important piece of work because it shows just how far we still have to go.
Not surprisingly, each of the disappearing commissions is concerned that its agenda is given proper (and equal) importance under the new umbrella. But it is fair to say that the CRE's worries may be more justified than the others, and that it has more to lose. While the debate about equal pay and working conditions rages publicly, and the legislative agenda on disability continues apace, the debate about equality for ethnic minority communities is in danger of getting lost in a more general, and polarised, debate around immigration and identity.
As part of its legacy, the CRE has just published 'A lot done, a lot to do - our vision for an integrated Britain'. It's an appropriate title for a pamphlet on a set of challenges in which considerable (albeit slow) progress has been made, but where some of the statistics also remain appalling. Most stark is the criminal justice system. While the number of ethnic minority police officers increased from 2 to 3.5 per cent between 1989 and 2004, in 2005 25 per cent of the prison population was from ethnic minority groups. Figures like that, which the pamphlet offers in abundance, should shatter any complacency we have developed in this area.
It is vital that organisations like Demos, and others regardless of political affiliation, continue to give this set of issues a proper hearing. Whether in the context of public space and interaction between communities, security, or cultural representation these inequalities need to be challenged through rigourous thought and concerted action. This is an important piece of work because it shows just how far we still have to go.
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