A report released by the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) paints a picture of a largely tolerant and open-minded society, in which some equality gaps have closed over the past generation, but also shows that other long-standing inequalities remain undiminished.  

According to the EHRC, the 700 page report ‘How fair Is Britain?’ is the most comprehensive compilation of evidence on discrimination and disadvantage ever compiled in Britain. It paints a picture of a largely tolerant and open-minded society, in which some equality gaps have closed over the past generation, but also shows that other long-standing inequalities remain undiminished and that new social and economic fault-lines are emerging as Britain becomes older and more ethnically and religiously diverse.  The Review also identifies recession, public service reform, management of migration and technological change as major risk factors in progress towards a fairer society.

Key findings are: (i) that by the age of 22-24, 44% of Black people are not in education, employment or training, compared to fewer than 25% of White people; (ii) one in four Bangladeshi and Pakistani women work, compared with nearly three in four White British women; (iii) only 47% of Muslim men and 24% of Muslim women are employed; (iv) Pakistani and Bangladeshi men’s earnings fall 13% and 21% below what might be expected, and Black African Christian and Chinese men experience pay penalties of 13% and 11%; (v) 50% of disabled adults are in work, compared to 79% of non-disabled adults.