WIREDGOV

The Deputy Minister and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, yesterday announced the launch of a six week consultation into the future shape and remit of the Welsh Government’s Equality and Inclusion Funding Programme.

The Welsh Government Equality and Inclusion Fund supports those who are at greatest risk of discrimination and unfair treatment, including disabled people, Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, Gypsies, Roma and Travellers, refugees and asylum seekers, and LGBT+ people, as well as those who are socio-economically disadvantaged. The fund currently has an annual budget of £1.6million.

Jane Hutt yesterday said:

The Equality and Inclusion Fund has long been at the heart of our work relating to Equality and Human Rights. We have increasingly recognised that different aspects of inequality, such as racism, discrimination and poverty, can combine to produce even worse outcomes for some people and communities, and this has been particularly apparent during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Since 2017, we have focused support for and through organisations who represent communities in aspects of equality and inclusion, as well as distinct service providers for some key groups. While we intend to continue this work, it is not enough to stand still, and we must examine whether or not this approach is working.

I want to explore options for greater collaboration between representative equality organisations in Wales. It’s vital that we provide the greatest benefit to everyone who is disadvantaged or experiences discrimination.

We need our equality organisations, individuals and communities, to tell us what needs to change, so that we can continue to tackle inequality in Wales, make the greatest overall impact, and achieve the best possible outcomes for our communities.

These issues affect us all, so please let us know your views on how this funding can best be used in future.

Related Links

• Equality planning and strategy

  • The future of the Equality and Inclusion Funding Programme