Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Labour proposes equal pay rights for BAME workers

This initiative comes as a response to escalating inequality, notably impacting BAME communities through various crises and systemic cuts

Labour proposes equal pay rights for BAME workers

Under a proposed race equality act, the Labour Party aims to broaden the scope of existing equal pay rights, currently afforded to women, for the first time, to include BAME (Black, Asian, and minority ethnic) workers, alongside individuals with disabilities, an exclusive report by The Guardian said.

This initiative aims to level the playing field in pay equity, with a planned phased implementation, with an approach designed to allow employers sufficient time to adjust their practices to ensure equitable compensation for all employees, with provisions for retroactive pay commencing from the date the law is enacted.


Amid criticisms of the slow execution of the Windrush compensation scheme, Labour pledges to appoint a Windrush commissioner upon election victory. This role is envisioned to revive efforts for justice for the Windrush generation, potentially relocating the compensation scheme from the Home Office to ensure efficiency and accountability.

Keir Starmer's commitment to a race equality act was first promised in 2020, with the establishment of a taskforce led by Doreen Lawrence. However, the delay in providing specifics has stirred doubts about the party's dedication to eradicating structural racism.

This initiative comes as a response to escalating inequality, notably impacting BAME communities through various crises and systemic cuts.

Anneliese Dodds, shadow secretary for women and equalities, emphasised the urgency of addressing race equality.

She said, “Inequality has soared under the Tories and too many black, Asian, and ethnic minority families are working harder and harder for less and less. This is holding back their families and holding back the economy.

“We are proud of our achievements in government, from the landmark Equality Act [in 2010] to strengthening protections against discrimination. The next Labour government will go further to ensure no matter where you live in the UK, and whatever your background, you can thrive.”

Labour's proposals which the party is set to unveil Monday (5) also includes addressing dual discrimination, allowing for a unified claim in instances of intersecting biases, a move anticipated to streamline tribunal processes and extend protections across a range of discriminations.

This approach would benefit various groups, including women discriminated against during menopause.

The new act would require public institutions such as the NHS, police forces, schools, and local councils to compile and disclose data on employment, compensation, and, where relevant, performance metrics, categorised by ethnicity.

Additionally, the act would formalise previously declared initiatives, including the enforcement of reporting on ethnicity-related pay disparities, the provision of anti-racism training for police personnel, and the review of the school curriculum to promote diversity.

Labour's broader agenda includes enhancing mental health services, targeting maternal health disparities, and revising clinical training to reflect the UK's diverse population.

Party sources said the new act would help deliver on its core mission to unlock economic growth through better jobs and more secure employment for BAME people, which they claimed could be worth more than £26bn a year in increased salaries.

Dr Shabna Begum the interim chief executive of the race equality thinktank the Runnymede Trust, lauds the act as a critical shift from past policies but warns that it may not fully tackle the extensive inequalities facing people of colour.

She advocates for a robust, cross-governmental strategy underpinned by substantial investment to address deep-rooted disparities in various sectors, underscoring the intrinsic link between racism and systemic inequalities.

More For You

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case
Bhim Kohli

Court to review teen's sentence in Bhim Kohli case

THE seven-year prison sentence handed to a 15-year-old boy convicted of the manslaughter of 80-year-old Bhim Sen Kohli is to be reviewed under the UK’s Unduly Lenient Sentence (ULS) scheme.

The Attorney General’s Office confirmed on Friday (5) that the teenager’s sentence will now be considered by the Court of Appeal.

Keep ReadingShow less
Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama attends a prayer meet held for his long life at the Dalai Lama temple in the northern hill town of Dharamshala, India, July 5, 2025. REUTERS/Anushree Fadnavis

Dalai Lama hopes to live 'beyond 130 years'

THE Dalai Lama said on Saturday (5) he hopes to live until he is more than 130 years old, two decades longer than his previous prediction, following his assurance to followers that he would reincarnate as the spiritual head of the faith upon his death.

The Nobel Peace Prize winner was speaking during a ceremony organised by his followers to offer prayers for his long life, ahead of his 90th birthday on Sunday (6), and as China insists it will choose his successor. The Dalai Lama told Reuters in December he might live to 110.

Keep ReadingShow less
UK heatwave by mid-July

Daytime temperatures meeting or exceeding set thresholds of 25°C

iStock

Met Office warns of potential third UK heatwave by mid-July

Key points

  • Met Office forecasts rising temperatures by mid-July
  • Possible third heatwave after record-breaking June
  • High pressure system likely to bring hot air from the Atlantic
  • Yellow rain warning and flood alerts issued in parts of Scotland and Cumbria

Possible heatwave to return by mid-July

The UK could experience its third heatwave in a month by mid-July, the Met Office has said. Forecasters expect rising heat and humidity during the second weekend of July, following two weekends of unusually warm weather in late June.

June was officially the hottest on record in England, and the return of high temperatures could mean another heatwave for parts of the country. However, the Met Office cautioned that it is too early to confirm how hot conditions will get.

Keep ReadingShow less
crypto

Two men have been jailed for defrauding investors of £1.5 million through a fake crypto investment scheme. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Two jailed over £1.5m crypto investment scam

TWO people who duped investors of £1.5 million by selling fake investments in crypto have been jailed for 12 years, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) said.

Raymondip Bedi, of Bromley, and Patrick Mavanga, of Peckham, conned at least 65 people by cold-calling them between February 2017 and June 2019. They operated companies including CCX Capital and Astaria Group LLP.

Keep ReadingShow less
Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

Photo for representation. (iStock)

Getty Images/iStockphoto

Manchester Police probes over 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects

GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE is now investigating more than 1,000 child sexual abuse suspects, following years of public criticism and institutional failings in tackling child sexual exploitation.

A new report by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) has revealed the force has made “significant improvements” in dealing with group-based sexual abuse and related crimes.

Keep ReadingShow less