Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Survey: Britain best place to live for ethnic minorities, but inequality remains

The 75th anniversary of the Windrush will be held on 22 June with events taking place across the UK

Survey: Britain best place to live for ethnic minorities, but inequality remains

BRITAIN is a better place to live for ethnic minorities than other countries like the US, Germany or France, a new survey has revealed.

According to the report, as many as 80 per cent of ethnic minority Britons agree that the UK is a better place to live but added that much more work to do on racial equality.


The new findings were released on Wednesday (7) in ‘Why the Windrush matters today’ report by think tank British Future as part of the Windrush 75 network.

Two-thirds (67 per cent) of ethnic minority respondents to the survey agreed that black and Asian people face discrimination in their everyday lives in Britain, while only 10 per cent disagreed.

The report also examined what people know and feel about the Windrush, how we should commemorate its 75th anniversary on 22 June and what we should do now to tackle prejudice and bring people together.

The survey revealed that seven in ten people (71 per cent) and of ethnic minorities too (68 per cent) believed that the UK has made significant progress on racial equality in the last 25 years.

However, a vast majority of ethnic minorities (80 per cent) and 66 per cent of the public agreed that the country needs to make much more progress on racial equality in the next 25 years.

As many as 87 per cent of black respondents felt that much more progress is needed in this regard.

“The Windrush 75th anniversary is an important moment to honour the pioneers of this history. It should now be seized as a chance to imagine our future too. Britain has changed for the better in these 75 years but we must also focus on the progress we still need to see on race," said Sunder Katwala, director of British Future and co-author of the report.

"Committing now to an ambitious agenda for change in the quarter-century to come would be a fitting legacy.”

According to the report, two-thirds (66 per cent) of the public and 70 per cent of ethnic minorities urged to focus less on arguments about language and more on practical action to tackle racial inequality.

More than half the public (57 per cent) felt that the UK political and media debate has become more divisive on questions of race in the last 10 years. Meanwhile two-thirds of ethnic minority respondents and general public said that they would welcome a less heated debate on race.

“The Windrush is black history and it is British history, the story of how our society came to look as it does today and why we all have a stake in it. It is something that all of our children should learn about at school and something that all of us can celebrate," said Patrick Vernon, convenor of the Windrush 75 network.

“It is also history that we must take care not to lose as the Windrush generation sadly passes away. We should act now to capture and preserve their stories, engaging the next generation so they understand their heritage.”

Six in 10 people (61 per cent) felt that the 75th anniversary of Windrush is important. That rises to 71 per cent of ethnic minorities and 84 per cent of black Caribbean Britons.

Three-quarters of the respondents think that children should learn about the Windrush and how post-war migration shaped today’s society. Around 89 per cent from the black Caribbean community wanted to teach this history.

The survey revealed that two-thirds of the public and 7 in 10 ethnic minority Britons would support setting a Windrush 100 goal of ‘net zero racism by 2048’.

Only 28 per cent of the public and 45 per cent of ethnic minority Britons think that it could be achieved in 25 years.

Almost half of the general public want government to prioritise tougher rules on online hatred to achieve net zero racism, but ethnic minorities urged to focus on fair chances in employment.

The HMT Empire Windrush arrived at Tilbury docks in 1948, bringing more than 800 passengers from the Caribbean.

It has come to symbolise the start of post-war Commonwealth migration and the multi-ethnic society of Britain today.

More For You

Pakistan rejects claim of China’s role in border clash

Asim Munir

Pakistan rejects claim of China’s role in border clash

PAKISTAN’S army chief Field Marshal Asim Munir on Monday (7) rejected Delhi’s allegation that his military received active support from longtime ally China in its conflict with India in May.

The Indian Army’s deputy chief, Lieutenant General Rahul Singh, said last week that China gave Islamabad “live inputs” on key Indian positions.

Keep ReadingShow less
Modi courts Latin nations to expand trade relations

Christine Kangaloo awards Narendra Modi with the Order of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago last Friday (4)

Modi courts Latin nations to expand trade relations

INDIA’S prime minister, Narendra Modi met Argentine president Javier Milei in Buenos Aires last Saturday (5), urging the expansion of New Delhi’s preferential trade deal with South America’s Mercosur bloc.

The bilateral talks with Milei were the latest in Modi’s whistle-stop diplomatic tour culminating in the summit of Brics emerging economies which began last Sunday (6) in Brazil.

Keep ReadingShow less
Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

Lord Coaker (Photo: UK Parliament)

Minister 'open to talks' on British Sikh regiment

A FRESH parliamentary initiative to establish a dedicated Sikh regiment within the British Army has gained momentum in the House of Lords, with defence minister Lord Coaker expressing willingness to engage in further discussions about the long-debated proposal.

The issue was raised in the House of Lords on Monday (7) by Labour peer Lord Sahota, who asked whether there had been any progress on long-standing calls for a Sikh regiment.

Keep ReadingShow less
Heatwave Alert: Don’t Leave Contraceptives or Medication in Cars

Heat can also damage everyday items like sunglasses, suncream and vape devices

iStock

Drivers warned to remove contraceptives and medication from cars during UK heatwave

Highlights:

  • Experts urge motorists to avoid leaving certain items in vehicles during upcoming heatwave
  • Temperatures expected to rise above 30°C across large parts of the UK
  • Contraceptives and common medications can lose effectiveness in high heat
  • Heat can also damage everyday items like sunglasses, suncream and vape devices

Drivers urged to act as UK braces for extended heatwave

Drivers across the UK are being urged to remove a range of everyday items from their cars ahead of a predicted heatwave, with experts warning that the rising temperatures could pose both safety and health risks.

The Met Office has forecast a prolonged spell of hot weather, with temperatures expected to soar into the low 30s on Thursday and Friday. Much of the UK is likely to hit its regional heatwave threshold by the weekend, with this episode potentially affecting a wider area and lasting longer than previous hot spells.

Keep ReadingShow less
Royal Mail

The Royal Mail logo is seen on the side of a van as the UK government clear a 3.57 billion pound takeover offer by Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky in London, December 16, 2024. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

Ofcom updates Royal Mail delivery targets, starts pricing review

MEDIA regulator Ofcom has set new minimum delivery standards for Royal Mail and revised existing targets in an effort to reduce delays. It also announced a review into pricing and affordability, amid concerns over rising stamp prices.

Royal Mail, which has faced fines of around $20 million over the past two years for not meeting delivery targets, is currently trying to modernise operations and focus more on parcel deliveries.

Keep ReadingShow less