Strong support for policies to combat race inequality in London

There is "strong support" among black, Asian and other ethnic minorities in London for policies to tackle race inequality and increase diversity within the public services, including the police and teaching professions, a survey has found.

The survey of over 1,000 black, Asian and ethnic minorities across London, found that eight out of ten people agreed that the capital's police force should reflect the communities it serves.

Sixty-eight per cent of those surveyed also said that they believed that school staff should reflect the diversity of the pupils they teach.

Eighty-three per cent of those surveyed think that discrimination is far more likely to be linked to skin colour than as a result of gender, name or accent.

However, in spite of this, three-quarters of people say that there are good relations between different racial and religious groups, while nine out of ten people said that they liked London's cultural diversity.

Three-quarters of respondents also said that they believed that equal rights and opportunities for ethnic minorities are better than they were 10 years ago.

However, the survey also found that there was clear support for a specific national organisation promoting equal rights for ethnic minorities, with 89% supporting the idea.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone commented: "40% of London's total population is from a minority ethnic group, with 29% from black or Asian communities. London has always been a city that welcomes people from different cultures encouraging them to live and prosper in the city. But only 18% of public sector managers and senior officials are from black, Asian or minority ethnic Londoners, who are still concentrated in low-grade jobs and menial roles. This is unacceptable. Combating racism and racial inequalities is an issue for all sections of society."

The survey, which was carried out by ICM on behalf of the Greater London Authority, will be published this Saturday to coincide with the State of Race Equality in London.

(KMcA/GB)