13 January 2010
Source: LocalGov.co.uk ()

Councils and cops top gay equality poll


Chris Smith

Local Government and other public sector agencies are among the best employers for gay workers, according to a new equality index.

Five councils, five police forces, three Government agencies and two Whitehall departments dominated the top 20 places on Stonewall’s annual Workplace Equality Index.

"I’m very proud that Britain’s top gay pressure group continues to rate us so highly. Our commitment to equal treatment for all our communities can also now be seen in the new city-wide equalities charter for statutory agencies that we’ve helped put together."

Dee Simson, cabinet member for community affairs, Brighton & Hove City Council
Hampshire Constabulary followed global IT giant IBM to take second place and Brighton & Hove City Council was ranked fourth.

The police have made the most significant progress in the public sector; another six forces earned places in the top 50.

Consultancy and accounting firm Ernst & Young, which advises both local and central government, wins the award for employee network group.

Ben Summerskill, Stonewall chief executive, said: 'We received more entries than any previous year from employers who understand and have benefited from Stonewall’s research which found that gay people are far more likely to buy goods or services from companies they know are gay-friendly.

The index is a powerful tool used by Britain's 1.7m gay employees and 150,000 gay university students to decide where to take their talent and skills.'

Brighton & Hove City Council staff forum was recognised by Stonewall as a ‘Star Network Group’ – in recognition of the work it does towards workplace equality.

Cabinet councillor for community affairs, Dee Simson, said: ‘I’m very proud that Britain’s top gay pressure group continues to rate us so highly. Our commitment to equal treatment for all our communities can also now be seen in the new city-wide equalities charter for statutory agencies that we’ve helped put together.’



Your comments

I'm a lesbian and Stonewall's Index is completely not credible in the LGBT community. They charge 2200 pounds to be included and then rank respondents based on a self assessment form. There is no access for the small enterprises where most LGBT people work. Basically pay money to Stonewall in the hope of high rankings. PR for the company and revenue for Stonewall. In the LGBT community we pay no attention to this anymore. It is little more than farce. Sally B. Brighton & Hove

Sally Bingham, Assistant, Brighton and Hove, Added: Sunday, 17 January 2010 01:45 AM



 Back     Top of page

Advert