Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

No proof of institutional racism in UK, claims government report

No proof of institutional racism in UK, claims government report

THERE is “no evidence of institutional racism” in Britain, a new report by the government’s race disparity unit said on Wednesday (31).

According to the new report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, the success of much of the ethnic minority population in education, and, to a lesser extent, the economy “should be regarded as a model for other white-majority countries”.


However, the review said the UK is not a post-racial society and "overt and outright racism persists", particularly online. It also said some communities continue to be haunted by "historic cases" of racism, creating “deep mistrust”. “Both the reality and the perception of unfairness matter,” it said.

Ordered by prime minister Boris Johnson's government, the report was triggered in the wake of worldwide Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests last summer. Tens of thousands of Britons protested across Britain last summer as part of the BLM movement in the wake of African American George Floyd's death at the hands of a white police officer, calling for action to tackle racial inequality.

At the time, protest organisers said those behind the commission did not represent their views and should be replaced, having already make clear that they did not believe that Britain had a problem with institutional racism.

In its report, the commission pinpointed education as "the single most emphatic success story of the British ethnic minority experience", saying allegations that the country was still institutionally racist were not borne out by the evidence.

Concluding that issues around race and racism were becoming less important in explaining disparities, it says different outcomes had as much to do with social class and family structure.

It also suggested the BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) acronym should no longer be used because of the differences in experience of minorities.

In response to the report, some critics have accused the government of trying to downplay the level of structural racism in the UK.

Dr Halima Begum, chief executive of race-equality think-tank Runnymede Trust, said denying the existence of institutional racism was “deeply, deeply worrying”.

Sunder Katwala, director of think-tank British Future, said although many ethnic minorities may face less prejudice than their elders did, “such comparisons make little difference to the lives of ethnic minority Britons in 2021.”

“Britain probably does put more energy than others into collecting data on race,” he said in response to the report. “That shouldn’t only be used to highlight the progress that undoubtedly has been made ­– it must also identify the gaps so we can take action to address them.”

Justice shadow secretary David Lammy accused Johnson's government of "slamming the door" in the faces of those fighting against  institutional racism. "He has let an entire generation of white and black British people down," Lammy said on LBC Radio. "Let's not forget this report was rushed out in response to the overwhelming desire for change after the murder of George Floyd, where thousands of people rallied for the black men, women and children, suffering, still, excluded in this country because of institution racism."

Labour MP Lisa Nandy also said she was “deeply disappointed” that the review “seemed to downplay the structural problems we’ve got in this country”.

(With agencies)

More For You

Andrew Tate Sued by Ex-Girlfriend Brianna Stern Over Sexual Assault Allegations

Tate’s attorney, Joseph McBride, has dismissed the lawsuit

Getty

Andrew Tate faces sexual assault lawsuit from ex-girlfriend Brianna Stern

Social media personality Andrew Tate is facing a new lawsuit from his ex-girlfriend, Brianna Stern, who has accused him of sexual assault, battery, and gender violence. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles, details allegations of abuse and an incident that allegedly took place at The Beverly Hills Hotel on 11 March 2025.

Allegations in the lawsuit

According to the legal complaint, Stern claims that Tate initially appeared as a "dream come true" but later became emotionally and physically abusive. The lawsuit describes a violent encounter at the hotel, where she alleges Tate physically assaulted and threatened her.

Keep ReadingShow less
Voices of Faith 2025: A journey through spirituality and wisdom

Soumik Datta (R) and Gurdain Singh Rayatt

Voices of Faith 2025: A journey through spirituality and wisdom

Mahesh Liloriya

The inaugural edition of Voices of Faith commenced on Friday at the iconic Barbican Centre, Silk Street, London, marking the beginning of an extraordinary three-day festival exploring theological philosophies, interfaith dialogues, and the deeper essence of spirituality through conversations, music, and healing vibes.

Organised by Teamwork Arts, the creators of the Jaipur Literature Festival (JLF) and JLF London, Voices of Faith is presented by the Kamini and Vindi Banga Family Trust, with the support of Tech Mahindra. Eastern Eye and Garavi Gujarat serve as the official media partners of this landmark event. This unique festival seeks to offer insights into navigating the complexities of modern life through the timeless wisdom enshrined in global religious traditions. It focuses on the universal ideals of compassion and interconnectedness that underpin the world’s faiths, fostering dialogue that transcends barriers and deepens mutual understanding.

Keep ReadingShow less
Court reopens Asian child sex offender's deportation case

Home Office successfully challenged a ruling that allowed him to remain in Britain (Photo for representation: iStock)

Court reopens Asian child sex offender's deportation case

A PAKISTANI man convicted of sexually assaulting a child under 13 will face a fresh deportation hearing after the Home Office successfully challenged a ruling that allowed him to remain in Britain, reported The Times.

The offender, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had initially won his case to stay in the UK after claiming he would face "inhuman or degrading treatment" if sent back to Pakistan due to his alcoholism.

Keep ReadingShow less
India launches Operation Brahma to aid quake-hit Myanmar

Rescue teams work to save residents trapped under the rubble of the destroyed Sky Villa Condominium development in Mandalay on March 29, 2025. (Photo by SAI AUNG MAIN/AFP via Getty Images)

India launches Operation Brahma to aid quake-hit Myanmar

INDIA has swiftly responded to the devastating earthquake in Myanmar by launching Operation Brahma, sending emergency relief and rescue teams to the disaster-stricken nation.

A C-130J military transport aircraft of the Indian Air Force landed in Yangon on Saturday (29), carrying 15 tonnes of relief supplies including hygiene kits, blankets and food parcels. The aid mission comes after a powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar on Friday (28), killing more than 1,000 people and injuring nearly 2,400 others.

Keep ReadingShow less
Britain’s happiness crisis: UK hits record low in global wellbeing rankings

Pakistan stands at 109th place out of 147 countries

Britain’s happiness crisis: UK hits record low in global wellbeing rankings

THE UK has experienced a significant blow to its national morale, plummeting to 23rd place in the World Happiness Report for 2025 – its lowest ranking ever – despite being the world’s sixth richest nation.

Released to mark the UN’s International Day of Happiness last Thursday (20), the report provided a nuanced exploration of national contentment that extends far beyond economic measurements.

Keep ReadingShow less