The amount spent by local authorities on promoting equality and diversity almost doubled in a three-year period, campaigners have revealed.
Research by the TaxPayers’ Alliance has found that spending on equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) roles rose from just over £12m in 2020/21 to almost £23m in 2022/23.
Nearly 200 councils across the UK have spent cash on EDI roles since 2020, the campaign group found.
Responding to the TaxPayers’ Alliance’s report, a spokesperson for the Local Government Association (LGA) said: ‘Councils have a legal duty to eliminate discrimination, harassment and victimisation.
‘While councils continue to innovate and transform their services to meet the needs of their communities, it is unsustainable to expect them to keep doing more for less in the face of unprecedented cost and demand pressures.’
