A formal investigation into the Department of Health to uncover the extent to which it is failing to meet its duty to promote race equality under the Race Relations Act 1976 was announced by the Commission for Racial Equality today. As part of their duty under the Act, government departments are required to assess new policies and legislation for their impact on race equality as this ensures that there are no adverse or unbalanced effects on different communities.

Monitoring and enforcement action is a significant part of the CRE's legal business as regulator of race relations legislation. The CRE has proactively monitored the performance of Whitehall departments on race equality since February 2004.

The CRE has on several occasions urged the Department of Health to address inequalities at all levels but found that Race Equality Impact Assessments (REIAs) were not satisfactorily being carried out on the Department's policies.

As the regulator of the Race Relations Act, the CRE will be using its legal powers to investigate the Department's approach, attitude and commitment, by how it assesses the impact of race equality on its new policies.

Anthony Robinson, Director of Legal Services and Enforcement, said:

"We are concerned about the Department of Health as we have reason to believe that they have not been meeting their obligations under the law.

"This is worrying as they influence and shape local health services and we have to make sure that as a regulator, communities are not being disadvantaged on the ground because this work is not being carried out.

"The Commission is determined to use its enforcement powers, where necessary, to tackle organisations which persistently fail to meet their obligations under the Race Relations Act."
 

Mary Rose/HMS Victory/HMS Warrior 1860/Royal Naval Museum/Action Stations/Harbour Tours
Special exhibition “Chasing Freedom” focuses on Royal Navy’s role in fighting slavery at the Royal Naval Museum.  2007 marks the bicentenary of the abolition of the transatlantic slave trade by Parliamentary Bill on 25 March 1807. There will be many events being held nationwide to focus on the cultural legacy of the infamous trade. 

How important is your local community to you? Are you keen to be an active member of it and be at the forefront of tackling key issues such as anti-social behaviour? These days it seems that almost every town and city in England and Wales is facing an ongoing battle with a range of crime and disorder problems and if that’s something you’re keen to change then you may like to consider becoming a Police Community Support Officer (PCSO). As a PCSO, you will work on the frontline of your local force, providing a visible and reassuring presence on the streets and tackling the menace of anti-social behaviour. Although PCSOs do not have the same powers as regular police officers, they still carry a lot of responsibility and are a critical part of the police force.

Menzies Campbell will this evening [Thursday] encourage those from black and minority ethnic (BME) communities to become engaged with the Liberal Democrats in an effort to make his party more representative of modern day Britain. Speaking at a specially held reception for members of the minority ethnic communities, Menzies Campbell will promote the £200,000 Diversity Fund, set up to support Liberal Democrat candidates from under-represented groups to get elected.