Policy paper

Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities: sub-group priorities

Published 14 September 2020

The Commission will look at outcomes across the country, with a focus on education, employment, health and the criminal justice system.

The priority areas for each sub-group have been developed following reviews of both existing and newly-commissioned research, engagement with key experts, and consideration of the work already being carried out by government in each of the four areas.

Led by the evidence, the Commission will consider the causes of persistent disparities and barriers different groups face across these four areas, and make recommendations for further action across government, public bodies and the private sector. Each sub-group will also consider overarching themes including income, gender, age, geography and occupation, and how the situation in the UK has changed over time.

The sub-groups will consider robust quantitative and qualitative analysis, and carry out an intensive plan of engagement with individuals and organisations nationwide in order to deliver against the Commission’s Terms of Reference.

1. Education

In carrying out its remit, the Education sub-group will focus on the disparities in compulsory education for pupils up to 16-years-old.

• Early Years & Family Structures: Including family services, family structure and the attitudes towards education.
• Attainment: Examining existing disparities in educational attainment and exclusions, considering the impact of geography, socioeconomic status and school type.
• Ensuring Success: Exploring diversity and what works in improving educational outcomes for different groups and ethnic communities.
• Modern Britain: Considering how the curriculum could currently highlight the contributions of the different communities and regions in the country.

The sub-group will consider the Timpson Review of School Exclusion and the Children’s Commissioner Best Beginnings in the Early Years Review. It will also give evidence for the Andrea Leadsom review into how the health of babies and young children from disadvantaged backgrounds can be improved.

2. Health

In carrying out its remit, the Health sub-group will focus on exploring:

• NHS workforce diversity and career progression.
• Disparities in health outcomes – including mental health; specific areas will be identified following an extensive evidence review and consideration of where work is already being undertaken elsewhere in government.

This sub-group will also consider Fair Society, Healthy Lives; the Marmot review the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act and give evidence for the Andrea Leadsom review into how the health of babies and young children from disadvantaged backgrounds can be improved

3. Crime and Policing

In carrying out its remit, the Crime and Policing sub-group will focus on exploring:

• Disparities in Stop and Search: including building trust between communities and police force areas.
• Improving police workforce diversity, retention and career progression.
• An assessment of cautions and out of court disposals.
• Police misconduct.

This sub-group will also consider the Lammy Review and the Angiolini Review into deaths and serious incidents in police custody.

4. Employment and Enterprise

In carrying out its remit, the Employment and Enterprise sub-group will focus on exploring:

• Opportunities for young people (with a focus on 16-24 year olds).
• Barriers to entry and routes to progression.
• How the use of Artificial intelligence (AI) plays a role in race disparity.
• Access to capital and other success factors for entrepreneurs
• Public sector procurement.

These 5 areas will be underpinned by qualitative and quantitative data; the role of technology and social capital; and public and private sector interventions (e.g apprenticeships)

This sub-group will also consider the Race in the workplace: The McGregor-Smith Review, Ethnic diversity of UK boards: the Parker review and the Social Mobility Commission’s annual report.