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Setting the Scene Jonathan Rees (Director General, Government Equalities Office) 18 October 2012. Introduction. New approach to equality based on equal treatment and equal opportunity set out in December 2010 Strategy Aimed at Changing culture and attitude Tackling causes of inequality
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Setting the Scene Jonathan Rees (Director General, Government Equalities Office) 18 October 2012
Introduction • New approach to equality based on equal treatment and equal opportunity set out in December 2010 Strategy • Aimed at • Changing culture and attitude • Tackling causes of inequality • Moving away from identity politics • Building an approach where equality is for everyone and is everyone’s responsibility
A Cross Government Approach Do not see equality in isolation from freedom, fairness and responsibility. The Equality Strategy is one element in the Government’s armoury to tackle disadvantage. It is complemented by a range of other measures: - Social Mobility Strategy (part of the discussion today) - Child Poverty Strategy - Disability Strategy - Integration Strategy - Social Justice Strategy - Addressing the problems faced by 120,000 troubled families. Inter Ministerial Group on Equality - Meeting quarterly; chaired by Minister for Women and Equality with 12 Departments represented
The Challenge: Real and persistent problems Caring gaps: treatment of older people in our health service still worse than younger counterparts Gender pay gap – full time median gender pay gap is 10.5% Employment gaps: the employment rate for: all white individuals is 72% all ethnic minority groups is 60% Asian or Asian British women is 48% those with no long-term disability is 78% those with a disability 48% Talent gaps: too many institutions are ‘pale, male and stale’. Women make up 16% of FTSE 100 Boards, 22% of MPs, 26% of senior positions in the public and voluntary sector.
Specific action to tackle specific barriers In addition to the impact of income and social class, gender, race, disability, a number of other characteristics also influence people’s life chances. Through the Social Mobility Progress Update, published 22 May 2012, the Government Equalities Office has committed to work across government to explore these additional factors and the barriers that some specific groups face and how they could be addressed. Specific groups include: Pakistani and Bangladeshi women*: economic inactivity Young black men*: achievement in later education and transition to the labour market Poor white boys*: educational attainment and lack of aspiration Children in care: educational attainment Poor young mothers: poor experiences of education - including truancy. * Groups which GEO is currently focusing on
Purpose of today GEO’s initial analysis has highlighted ‘education’ and ‘labour market (including transition)’ as the two key phases in the life cycle where the three groups – Pakistani and Bangladeshi Women, Young Black Men and Poor White Boys - start to fall behind. Purpose of today is to: Share and discuss the evidence on key barriers faced by groups, including the three identified by GEO, in respect of education Highlight action which is making a difference on the ground, or could potentially make a difference, and; Develop practical recommendations for the Inter Ministerial Group on Social Mobility, chaired by the Deputy Prime Minister, to consider by end of this year. A similar event on 5 November, at BIS Conference Centre, will specifically focus on employment and social mobility.