PM asks Whitehall: what are you doing about race?

In an “unprecedented audit”, the Prime Minister Theresa May has demanded every Whitehall department look at what it’s doing to tackle racial disparities in the UK.

The audit's findings will be made public, and year on year new findings will be added. Speaking on the day of launch May said:

"Today, I am launching an audit to look into racial disparities in our public services that stretches right across government,

"This audit will reveal difficult truths, but we should not be apologetic about shining a light on injustices as never before. It is only by doing so we can make this country work for everyone, not just a privileged few."

Clearly this is a bold first step by the Prime Minister and demonstrates another statement of intent. In part this is the fulfilment of many conversations OBV has had with the Prime Minister when she was Home Secretary and her team about delivering this type of action. Back then we strongly argued that tackling persistent race inequality had to be driven at the heart of Government with the strongest possible leadership. May has now delivered on that early commitment.

The need for this and a simultaneously comprehensive race equality strategy has become urgent given the recently published Equality and Human Rights Commission report that highlighted ‘entrenched racism’ across the UK.

With strong political will, tackling the fundamentals of entrenched racism could easily be the Prime Minister's legacy, but what is needed in no small measure is an Olympic approach that transformed the UK’s sporting prowess, back in Atlanta, USA, when we were extremely poor- only one gold medal was won, to Rio , Brazil where we came 2nd in world. That success was down to an audit, a comprehensive strategic plan with both resources and political will. Only this time when the nation’s race equality becomes the gold standard it’s much more than a national feel good factor. When discriminatory barriers are removed and creativity and potential can fulfil its true ambition everyone truly benefits.

Along with others OBV will be seeking a series of meetings the Downing St officials and the Cabinet Office about the detail of this announcement, and a race equality strategy.

Simon Woolley