Ethnic Minority Employment Darren Woolfenden DWP 020 7449 5505

1. Ethnic Minority EmploymentDarren Woolfenden DWP020 7449 5505

2. DWP Strategy Aim: To narrow the employment gap between ethnic minorities and the rest of the population. • Localism – which is where City Strategy Pathfinders come in. • Mainstream Programmes - ensure they meets the needs of ethnic minorities. • External Levers – Diversity Bill (GEO), Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Procurement, Areas, Employers (discrimination)

3. Even in these difficult times the UK has one of the best labour markets in the world. Source: OECD

4. Employment Rate performance • The decrease in the ethnic minority employment rate gap since 1997 has been a success story. But the gap normally widens in a recession.

5. Where Do Ethnic Minorities Live?

6. Ethnic Minority Working Age Population and Employment Rate Gap

7. Ethnic Minority and overall Employment Rates

8. Running to stand still: Working age ethnic minority population projections, 2008 to 2018

9. Child Poverty

10. Female employment rates and family type

11. A growing working age population • It is important for us to do something now because currently: • the employment rate gap is 12.6 percentage points • the inactivity rate for Ethnic Minorities is 31% - 10.4% higher than the overall GB rate • The unemployment rate is 11.6% - 4.3% higher than GB overall • 8% of the GB population are from an ethnic minority • Rising to 20% by 2018 • Majority of labour market growth is in key city economies – where in some places e.g. London, Birmingham and in some wards, boroughs, the majority of people are from an ethnic minority • Approximately 4.4 million or 12% of the working age population are from an ethnic minority • 12% of the secondary school population are from an ethnic minority • 17% of the primary school population are from an ethnic minority • 20% of all children in poverty are ethnic minority e.g. 72% of Bangladeshi children are in poverty

12. City example - Birmingham Disadvantaged Group Wards Ethnic Minority Population Unemployment rates

13. Working Neighbourhood Fund (WNF) • WNF is directed disproportionately toward areas with high workless ethnic minority areas • WNF covers most of the biggest concentrations of ethnic minority unemployment including: Bradford, Newham, Birmingham and Tower Hamlets • WNF covers only 19% of English local authorities but over half the workless ethnic minority population and around 60% of all ethnic minority benefit claimants • THUS: • it will not be possible for many local authorities to achieve their targets without tackling ethnic minority employment issues • Ethnic minorities will benefit disproportionately through this mainstream programme

14. It is the interest of CSP’s to focus WNF spend on Ethnic Minorities • Ethnic minorities are disadvantaged in the UK labour market. • An understanding of the local situation is essential. • Focusing on reducing the ethnic minority employment gap will help you reach child poverty targets. • The recession is likely to disproportionately impact on ethnic minorities • Maintain social cohesion

15. What can CSPs and Partners do. • Be pro-active in promoting the employment of disadvantage groups, particularly in this worsening economic climate. • Use outreach based provision to connect with the local community, particularly those not on benefits. • Promote work tasters for the long term unemployed. • Provide affordable child care, ESOL and services to combat other barriers. • Provide post employment support, linking in with developing IES service • Sell the benefits of equal opportunities in the workforce to local employers. • Ensure through procurement policies that contractors are representative of the local community. • Engage ethnic minority groups in the delivery and decision making process. • Complement, don’t replicate JCP and others services. • Monitor effectiveness of what you do. • Influence what partners do – eg LA, LSC, RDA.