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Commenting in response to a new report on race equality in the workplace, published by Business in the Community, Rebecca Hilsenrath, CEO of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said:

“We welcome this report as it provides further evidence of the roadblocks to opportunity that ethnic minorities still face in our workplaces.

“Is Britain Fairer?, our wide-ranging report of progress towards equality in Britain published last week, shows that people from almost every ethnic minority group suffered higher rates of unemployment and received lower pay than their White colleagues. Over the five year period to 2013, African/Caribbean/Black people had the largest drop in hourly pay (a fall of £1.20), bringing their pay down to £10.20 compared to £10.60 for White workers.

“This is why we have set challenges for government and others to improve fairness at work by encouraging fair employment practices, closing pay gaps, improving race diversity at senior levels and tackling racial harassment.

“There is no room for complacency.  We must all take concerted action to create a country where merit and ability, not race or skin colour, determine your opportunities.”

Notes to Editors

For further information please contact the media office on 0161 829 8102, out of hours 07767 272 818.  

Is Britain Fairer? can be found here - www.equalityhumanrights.com/IsBritainFairer