Commenting on the newly published ONS labour market report and the TUC’s analysis of BME unemployment figures, Jabeer Butt OBE, CEO of the Race Equality Foundation said:
“While this report shows the UK labour market starting to rebound, we cannot brush aside the bad news. Reports that the unemployment rate for Black, Asian and ethnic minority workers has risen at three times the speed of the rate for white workers are worrying. This threatens to widen the employment gap between White British people and Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, which has been closing over the last 20 years.
“The Race Equality Foundation has put forward recommendations through our Race Equity Collaboratives project, which explored the barriers behind racial inequalities in the labour market. We have suggested permanent furlough and other measures could make a real difference to those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds who are being left behind. The Government must now look closely at proposals and act to stem this latest trend.”
ENDS
Notes to editors
1. The Race Equality Foundation is a national charity tackling racial inequality to improve the lives of Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. We believe that everyone should be provided with the opportunities to flourish.
2. Press contact: comms@racefound.org.uk / 07593 454182
