Sadiq Khan - final chance
for your views on Government's new race equality strategy
COMMUNITIES AND LOCAL
GOVERNMENT News Release (118) issued by COI News Distribution
Service on 13 May 2009
Businesses,
charities, voluntary groups and local authorities who have not
already contributed to the Government's new race equality
consultation are asked to come forward and make their views known.
This is the final chance for contributions to be heard and
Communities Minister Sadiq Khan today urged as many people as
possible to seize the opportunity before the consultation ends
18th May.
Hundreds of people have taken part in eight ground breaking
regional roadshows throughout April and May, making their views
known and encouraging local community debate. Among the questions
tackled have been:
* What practical measures should we be taking to address
disadvantages experienced by different Black, Asian and minority
ethnic groups?
* What role does the voluntary and community
sector have to play in prioritising
race equality at the local
level? and;
* How best can we work with the private sector to
address ethnic minority employment issues?
Sadiq Khan said:
"As a society we have made considerable progress in
addressing race inequalities, but we also recognise that there is
a great deal of work that still has to be done. That's why
we've been looking afresh at our strategy for tackling race inequality.
"While the role of central government is crucial, this is
not an area where the Government has all the answers. That's
why it's so important to have an honest and healthy debate
within our communities about how we respond to the challenges that
face us as a modern multi- racial and diverse democracy.
"Hundreds of people from Newcastle to Bristol have had their
say directly, but we still want to hear from as many people as
possible on what they think our priorities for tackling race
inequalities should be, so we can develop a long-term programme
for race equality as well as a strategy for delivering it. If
you've not already had your say this is your opportunity to
be heard."
Notes to editors
1. To respond to the consultation please visit http://www.communities.gov.uk/publications/communities/tacklingraceinequalities
2. The consultation period has been running for 12-weeks ending
on 18 May 2009. We will then publish our planned future approach
to achieving race equality later in the year.
3. The regional roadshows took place in Reading, Leeds,
Newcastle, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Cambridge, London and Nottingham.
4. For more information and video footage and interviews with
roadshow participants please visit http://www.be-utd.org
Media Enquiries: 020 7944 3288
Email:
press.office@communities.gsi.gov.uk
News Releases: http://www.communities.gov.uk/newsroom