Martin Ford 12 April 2021

Discrimination twice as high among ethnic minorities in local services

Discrimination twice as high among ethnic minorities in local services image

People from ethnic minority backgrounds are twice as likely to face discrimination when using local services, new research has suggested.

A survey for the RSA (Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce) found 52% of Asian and 50% of black respondents had faced discrimination when accessing local services, compared to 19% of the white population.

The RSA suggested such discrimination may be linked to reluctance to undergo vaccination against COVID-19.

Among those who were vaccine hesitant, 59% said they had suffered discrimination when accessing local services in the past, compared to 33% for those who were not.

Chief research and impact officer at the RSA, Anthony Painter, said: ‘The evidence from our research casts serious doubt on the idea that institutional racism is not an issue in the UK.

‘People from ethnic minorities are much more likely to have experienced discrimination in public services and we saw some evidence that this is linked to vaccine hesitancy.’

The report concluded that the issue was ‘structural and systemic by nature’ and required ‘fair funding on the basis of need’ for local government.

It said further devolution and funding of local government based on deprivation were required to tackle the issue.

The survey found that 53% agreed local leaders should have greater decision-making powers, with just 13% disagreeing.

Mr Painter said: ‘We need to reinvent public services to work around their communities they serve.

'This means devolving more power locally, funding public services adequately and creating more spaces for citizens to collaborate with one another.’

SIGN UP
For your free daily news bulletin
Highways jobs

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

North Northamptonshire Council
£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recuriter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Capital Delivery Manager

South Wales Trunk Road Agent
£50,788 - £52,805
To be responsible for the implementation of Welsh Government’s Renewal and Upgrade programme. Baglan, Port Talbot
Recuriter: South Wales Trunk Road Agent

Senior Engineer x 2

Hounslow London Borough Council
£47,532 –£55,620 per annum
Our people are deeply committed to providing excellent services to our residents, doing all we can to make lives as good as they can be. Hounslow (City/Town), London (Greater)
Recuriter: Hounslow London Borough Council

Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI Chelmsford

Essex County Council
£25081.00 - £27653.00 per annum + Pro Rata
Part Time Prison Library Assistant - HMP/YOI ChelmsfordFixed Term, Part Time£25,081 to £27,653 Per Annum, Full Time EquivalentLocation
Recuriter: Essex County Council

Head of SEN Assessment & Resolution

The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
£77136 - £88230 per annum
Shape a fairer future for children with special educational needs.As Head of SEN Assessment and Resolution at the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chel England, London
Recuriter: The Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council
Linkedin Banner