Race
Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society
This report highlights the strategy set out by the Government to increase race equality and community cohesion. This strategy sets out one element of the Governments commitment – to ensure that people are not discriminated against because of their race or religion, and that all can make a full contribution to our society.
Title: Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society
Author: Home Office
Date published: January 2005
Number of pages: 56
Availability:
Download
full document 
PDF 452Kb
Improving life chances for all
This strategy signals the arrival of a comprehensive cross-Government Public Service Agreement target to monitor and reduce race inequalities between 2005 and 2008. It includes specific goals to reduce perceptions of discrimination in a wide range of public services, reduce employment inequalities and monitor the progress of minority ethnic communities across major public services, from education to housing.
Measures in the strategy can be divided into the following categories:
In Education
The government will better target the £162 million Ethnic Minority Achievement Grant to help schools focus on those ethnic groups who are struggling to perform. They will also improve the teaching of English for pupils for whom it is a second language and increase the recruitment of minority ethnic teachers to at least 9% of those entering the profession during the next 3 years.
In the Labour Market
The government will provide more tailored support for jobseekers from disadvantaged groups. They also aim to improve literacy and numeracy among at least 1.5 million adults, particularly from disadvantaged groups.
In Health
Part of the strategy will include providing greater patient choice by tailoring services to meet the particular needs of different cultural and ethnic groups. Through its overall NHS programme to reduce all health inequalities the Government will take particular action to tackle inequalities experienced by minority ethnic groups, such as the disproportionately high levels of heart disease among South Asians.
In Housing
Overcrowding and the number living in poor quality accommodation is greater and resident satisfaction lower, among nearly all Black and minority ethnic communities. The Government therefore aims to:
ensure that all social tenants live in decent accommodation by 2010
ensure that at least 70% of vulnerable owner occupiers and private tenants are in decent accommodation through greater help with home improvements – particularly focussing on Black and minority ethnic communities
continue to monitor and tackle discrimination through the work of the Audit Commission and the Commission for Racial Equality's forthcoming code of practice on housing.
In Policing and the Criminal Justice System
The Government will introduce a new statutory duty on police authorities to promote diversity within their forces and ensure that assessment and selection panels are more representative of the Black and minority ethnic communities they serve. They will also provide better support and training for prison officers and those managing the Criminal Justice System locally to help them address discrimination.
Legislation
In 2003, the Government introduced protection from discrimination in employment and vocational training on the grounds of religion or belief. They now plan to go further by introducing legislation against discrimination in the provision of goods, facilities and services on the grounds of religion or belief.
The establishment of the new Commission for Equality and Human Rights will, by 2009, help provide a more integrated approach to promoting overall equality and good relations between communities.
Building Community Cohesion
The strategy sets out to promote a sense of belonging and cohesion amongst all groups, setting out a vision for a British society in which:
young people from different communities grow up with a sense of common belonging
new immigrants are integrated
people have opportunities to develop a greater understanding of the range of cultures that contribute to our strength as a country
people from all backgrounds have opportunities to participate in civic society
racism is unacceptable
extremists who promote hatred are marginalised.
The full document gives details on how the Government plans to achieve this.
Delivering the strategy
In delivering this strategy the Government will seek to work with businesses, community groups, and individuals. Business has a vital role to play in ensuring that the talent of all is used, while community groups will be essential to progress in strengthening the sense of belonging and cohesion in society. Individuals have a responsibility themselves to contribute to society and use services appropriately.
Last update: 20 January 2005