Equality

• Damning report on leadership diversity

  ‘Little progress’ is being made in increasing the diversity of senior leadership in local authorities, a report published today has found.

  

• Council chiefs to launch campaign to recruit female councillors

  Local government leaders are set to launch a campaign to recruit more women as councillors.

  

• Overcoming the gender gap in local government

  The decision by the Local Government Association to launch a campaign to recruit women councillors is a timely move.

  

• Local government still male dominated, analysis reveals

  There has been 'virtually no progress' in women's representation in local government with nearly all councils being dominated by men, a damning new report has revealed.

  

• Appointment panels hold unconscious bias

  Ian Thomas demands proportionate positive action to increase diversity in leadership positions.

  

• Council facing £5m equal pay bill

  Fife Council has been warned it could face a £5m bill from a new round of equal pay claims.

  

• Data on racial inequalities ‘inconsistent’, MPs say

  The collection of data regarding racial inequalities in public services is ‘inconsistent’, MPs have found.

  

• Gender pay gap: what next for councils?

  Mark Whitehead finds out why two London councils have signed up to a new scheme to help women climb the career ladder.

  

• Disabled people 'trapped' in unsuitable homes

  The equality commission has called for a national strategy to ensure disabled people have access to suitable housing as survey reveals only 7% of England’s housing stock meets minimum standards.

  

• Funding for new peer reviews of children's services

  The Government has announced a £8.5m programme to help councils work together to improve outcomes for disadvantaged children.