UK: Report of the UK Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities

The Report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities made a number of recommendations to address racial disparities and inequalities in the UK, including:

• to advance fairness in the workplace by developing resources and evidence-based approaches readily available to employers
• to investigate what causes existing ethnicity pay disparities by requiring the publication of a diagnosis and action plan for organisations that voluntarily publish ethnicity pay figures – the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy will produce guidance for employers to draw on
• to challenge racist and discriminatory actions by funding the Equality and Human Rights Commission to use its compliance, enforcement and litigation powers to address policies or practices which cause racial disadvantage or are caused by racial discrimination
• to improve the transparency and use of artificial intelligence by publishing guidance on applying the Equality Act to algorithmic decision-making and requiring transparency from public sector bodies when it is used.

Practical Point

In order to help achieve inclusivity, and to better focus on understanding disparities and outcomes for specific ethnic groups, the report recommends that the term “BAME” should not be used.

Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities – Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities: The Report