Press Release

The Ethnic Minority Foundation hosts roundtable discussion at the House of Lords to discuss government’s efforts to improve the employment and skills prospects of minority ethnic communities

4th June 2008

As part of EMF's Policy Seminars 2008 Series, the Foundation hosted a roundtable discussion at the House of Lords to debate the government's drive to address the particular employment and skills needs of minority ethnic individuals.

Presided by Lord Bhatia OBE, Chair of EMF, the event featured contributions from the Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP, Minister of State for Employment and Welfare Reform at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP); Dr Krishna Sarda, EMF’s Chief Executive and Michael Whitehouse, Assistant Auditor General for the National Audit Office (NAO). Invited guests included Members of Parliament, civil servants, community leaders and stakeholders.

Dr Sarda introduced the session by reflecting on the disproportionate socio-economic disadvantage still experienced by minority ethnic groups in Britain, while reiterating EMF's commitment to finding long-term solutions; as he indicated:

'Despite decades of policy interventions aimed at bringing those at the margins of society into the mainstream, a persistent gap continues to exist between the country's general population and minority ethnic communities. In order to find viable solutions to such an intractable social problem, we need at least three things: a long-term vision, political will and a sustainable investment into the minority ethnic sector'.

Following a highly stimulating roundtable discussion, EMF hosted an afternoon event after lunch. During the course of this session, the Foundation invited prospective investors to support EMF’s own efforts to empower minority ethnic women through a programme of training, education and employment.