A new Race Equity in Employment Task Force chaired by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, bringing together experts across race and employment, has launched.
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Action for Race Equality (ARE), in collaboration with Business in the Community (BITC), has launched a brand-new Race Equity in Employment Task Force, bringing together experts in employment and race equity to design a roadmap to systemic change in employment.
Racial employment discrimination has been illegal since 1968, but disparities in the workplace and labour market are worsening. Young people who are not in education, employment or training (NEET) are an estimated total of 987,000 in 2024, a 12.5% increase from 2023.
Young people from Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds experience higher NEET rates. For instance, NEET rates for Black Caribbean young people are 2.3 times higher (25%) than the White British group (10.9%), while the rate is 13.9% for young people from Pakistani backgrounds.
I am proud to be chairing the Race Equity in Employment Task Force. This initiative is crucial in addressing the barriers faced by minoritised communities in the workforce. Despite clear evidence on what works, change has been slow, and under-representation and higher unemployment rates remain an issue. This task force brings together academic expertise with business leaders and the public sector to design a roadmap for real, lasting change that delivers equal opportunities for all.
Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham
For over 30 years, Action for Race Equality and Business in the Community have championed fairness, challenged discrimination and pioneered innovative solutions to empower Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage people in employment.
Now, building on their long-standing commitment, the two organisations have co-convened a new Race Equality Taskforce, chaired by the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.
The Race Equity in Employment Task Force will be a key driver in delivering change for Young Black, Asian, and Mixed Heritage people. Bringing experts and changemakers together gives us a real opportunity to impact the ongoing discrimination and unfair outcomes experienced by young people in our communities.
Jeremy Crook OBE, Chief Executive of Action for Race Equality
The Task Force brings together a group of sector experts, business leaders and academics to influence the government to take action to increase employment opportunities for young people aged 16-24 from Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds. Focus will be given to groups with the greatest underemployment, unemployment and lowest pay.
Advancing race equity in employment is both socially and economically beneficial. The McGregor-Smith Review states the full representation of Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage individuals across the labour market can boost the economy by £24 billion a year which is 1.3% of the GDP. Yet, Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi workers in Britain have the largest pay gaps compared to White British workers.
We believe that every young person and jobseeker should feel supported and should have a clear pathway into work and fair access to the skills they need to thrive now and in the future, regardless of their background. I am certain that this Task force will be a vital step in the creation of a fairer and more equal working world for ethnically diverse young people.
Sandra Kerr CBE, Race Equality Director at Business in the Community
The evidence on racial disparities in employment opportunities is clear, just as the changes needed to end the disparities. The missing piece is willingness to change, and a clear path to action.
With a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience, the Task Force will develop clear, actionable, and evidence-based recommendations to achieve racial equality in employment so that young people regardless of their race can excel in life.
For more information or enquiries, please contact: ARE Head of Policy Meka Beresford via meka@actionforraceequality.org.uk.
Author
Bowale Fadare
Policy & Research Officer (Stakeholder Engagement)
