Many minorities 'living in poverty' in UK

The poverty rate for Britain's minority ethnic groups now stands at 40% - double the 20% found amongst white British people - according to a report by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

The foundation also said that minority ethnic groups were being overlooked for jobs and being paid lower wages, despite improvements in education and qualifications.

The report also highlighted the differences between poverty rates in different ethnic groups, finding that 65% of Bangladeshis lived in poverty, compared to 55% of Pakistanis, 45% of black Africans and 30% of Indians and black Caribbeans.

The report also said that over half of Bangladeshi, Pakistani and black African children in the UK are growing up in poverty with a staggering 70% of Bangladeshi children growing up poor.

The report's other findings include:

• only 20% of Bangladeshis, 30% of Pakistanis and 40% of black Africans of working age are in full time work, compared to over 50% of white British people of working age



• Even with a degree, Pakistani and Bangladeshi men are less likely to be employed than someone white with the same qualifications



• Pakistani and Bangladeshi women are more likely to suffer high unemployment and are much less likely than Indian or white British women to be in professional or managerial jobs, despite more women from these groups attending university



• British-born people from minority ethnic backgrounds, especially Indian, black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi groups are less likely to get jobs than their white equivalents



• Poverty rates among ethnic minority groups are far worse for those living in London, compared to poverty levels among white British people, which are the same whether they live in London or elsewhere

JRF Director Julia Unwin said: "Although the past decade has seen some improvements, there are still some very serious problems which remain unsolved. This research shows how policies need to address the different situation of each group and be followed through on a practical level. We need an urgent rethink from government and employers so that minority ethnic groups do not miss out on opportunities in the workplace and higher educational attainment is properly recognised."

(KMcA/JM)