Runnymede Trust News

The future of asset-based policies in the US and UK

Thu, 08 Mar 2012 17:13:19 +0000

The distribution of wealth is highly unequal in the US and UK and is seen, by some, as having contributed to the Global Financial Crisis we are currently witnessing. The UK's Coalition Government appears to have ...

National Conference on the Big Society

Wed, 29 Feb 2012 11:19:05 +0000

The Good, The Bad and The Unequal: A National Conference addressing key questions on the Big Society. 29 Feb 2012; 11.00 am to 4.00 pm at the Midland Hotel, Bradford BD1 4HU This free event is organised...

More needs to be done to meet the needs of ethnic minority voters, new film argues

Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:05:33 +0000

A new film commissioned by the Runnymede Trust highlights that political parties need to do more to meet the concerns of ethnic minority voters. The film, called “the Black Vote” and made by Feedback Films...

New report on race and criminal justice

Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:48:36 +0000

A renewed focus on tackling ethnic minority poverty and inequality is needed to reduce racial disproportionalities in the criminal justice system, a new report by Runnymede has argued. Following the Stephen Lawrence verdict, our new report Criminal Justice v...

Justice for Stephen Lawrence ‘not a cause for celebration’ but a call to action

Thu, 05 Jan 2012 18:06:48 +0000

Writing on the Runnymede blog, our director Rob Berkeley has argued that the Stephen Lawrence verdict is a “call to action” to end racism. He states that despite changes in the law since Stephen Lawrence’s murder, the UK’s...

Preventing racist violence report launched

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 10:32:03 +0000

Trust for London, in partnership with Runnymede, has published a new report on preventing racist violence. The report finds that racist violence continues to be a serious problem in the UK, particularly amongst young people in London. ...

Sarah Isal on racism and social inclusion in sport

Mon, 05 Dec 2011 16:11:36 +0000

Runnymede's deputy director, Sarah Isal, has written an article on racism and social inclusion in sport for the latest issue of the ENARgy - the European Network Against Racism's webzine. . Read...

Ethnic minority UK citizens retiring abroad miss out on full state pension

Fri, 02 Dec 2011 13:44:09 +0000

Ethnic minority UK citizens retiring to countries outside of Europe could lose up to £24,000 over 20 years due to their UK Basic State Pension not being up rated in line with inflation. The discovery was made in...

Clegg makes speech on race equality

Thu, 24 Nov 2011 14:46:09 +0000

The deputy prime minister Nick Clegg has given an extensive speech on race equality in the UK in which he particularly focused on economic inequalities between different ethnic groups. In particular he announced that the government will be looking into the barriers...

New data on BME voting patterns

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 15:44:46 +0100

The most authoritative and comprehensive study of British voting behaviour has found that only 16% of Black and minority ethnic people voted Conservative in the last election. In Runnymede's recent press release on the issue, we also...

The Conservative Party and racial justice: Demos and Runnymede essay collection

Mon, 17 Oct 2011 17:48:53 +0100

In partnership with Runnymede, the Progressive Conservatism Project at Demos has published a collection of essays from leading Conservative thinkers, writers and politicians laying out a new centre-Right approach to racial justice and inequality. Read more ...

Over 200 people share ideas on how to end racism

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:52:26 +0100

Over 200 people from across Manchester shared their ideas on how to end racism in a generation in our dedicated pop-up shop. Taking place between 7-10 October, the event saw a former Vodafone shop in Manchester Piccadilly Station converted...

Generation 3.0 film launched in Manchester

Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:55:21 +0100

As part of Runnymede’s Generation 3.0 project, which looks at ways to end racism in a generation we have made a 15 minute fiction film about racism and gender. Called “Clench: what are you fighting for?”, the film tells...

NGOs respond to UK Government's boycott of UN racism event

Fri, 16 Sep 2011 13:48:40 +0100

A group of race equality organisations including Runnymede have released a statement responding to the UK Government’s recent decision to boycott the UN event on racism due to take place on 22 September. UK NGOs Against...

Chapter on 'under-pensioned' BME people launched in parliament

Tue, 13 Sep 2011 15:29:01 +0100

Runnymede's analysis of pensioner poverty and barriers to pension saving among black and minority ethnic (BME) people was launched in parliament on Tuesday 13 September.. It is included in a collection of essays on...

UN Committee urges Government to put race equality back on the agenda

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 16:54:18 +0100

The United Nations Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) has issued its recommendations on actions the UK government should take to promote race equality in the UK. Read more ...

UN Call for suspension of Dale Farm evictions

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 12:14:13 +0100

The UN Committee for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (CERD) called today for the government to stop the evictions at Dale Farm 'until culturally appropriate accommodation is identified and provided' Read more ...

Are you a Black, Asian or minority ethnic lesbian, gay or bisexual person?

Mon, 15 Aug 2011 13:34:15 +0100

If so, and you would like to share your experiences, please get in touch with us. Runnymede and Stonewall are currently holding a series of interviews with BME lesbian, gay and bisexual individuals on their views on the...

Is it really all about gangs?

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 19:00:29 +0100

Following David Cameron’s announcement of a new drive to tackle gangs following the UK riots, Runnymede head of policy Omar Khan urges caution on the use of the term in understanding causes of the disturbances. Whilst...

These disturbances should stop - and so should speculation

Tue, 09 Aug 2011 16:44:20 +0100

Writing for Left Foot Forward , Runnymede director Rob Berkeley has called for the looting and violence taking place across the country to end, also adding that speculation on the causes of the riots is currently unhelpful and should...

Tottenham - a tragedy we should have seen coming?

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 13:37:24 +0100

Runnymede’s director Rob Berkeley has written a blog post on the Tottenham disturbances, arguing that we have failed to learn from the mistakes of the past. You can read Rob’s piece on the Runnymede blog . ...

Runnymede comments on Tottenham riots

Mon, 08 Aug 2011 11:31:11 +0100

Speaking on BBC radio last night, Runnymede director Rob Berkeley urged people to look at the context of Saturday’s disturbances in Tottenham. Arguing that whilst the weekend’s events should not be condoned in any way, there...

Big Society risks increasing racial tensions, ethnic minorities fear

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 15:48:34 +0100

Ethnic minorities fear the Big Society will fuel racial tensions, according to a new report published by Runnymede. Particular concerns were raised regarding the government’s flagship policies of free schools and elected police commissioners, with some arguing that...

Diversity Awards Shortlist Announced

Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:17:40 +0100

The short-listed nominees for the first European Diversity Awards have just been announced. The awards recognise and celebrate the efforts of individuals, organisations, employers and the media to improve the life of the diverse communities of...

David Lammy elected chair of All Party Parliamentary Group on Race

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 18:01:03 +0100

The Labour MP David Lammy has been elected as the new chair of the All Party Group on Race and Community, which has just held its AGM. The meeting also featured Equality and Human Rights Commission chair Trevor Phillips as...

Donate to Runnymede by text

Wed, 13 Jul 2011 16:59:10 +0100

Did you know that you can now donate to Runnymede by text message? Help us end racism by texting GIVE09 followed by the amount you wish to donate (£1, £2, £3, £4, £5 or £10) to 70070 ...

Runnymede and Fabian Society report on welfare and diversity

Wed, 06 Jul 2011 16:53:44 +0100

Runnymede has published a new report on welfare, diversity and solidarity, written by James Gregory, senior research fellow at the Fabian Society. Published in the week of the 63rd anniversary of the NHS, the paper argues that when...

Diversity Awards: Deadline extended

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 15:23:09 +0100

Are you - or do you know - someone who deserves an award for their work in the field of diversity? Whatever your focus - from race to gender, age, religion, disability and LGBT - if your work has increased the...

Black students half as likely as white peers to get English Baccalaureate

Wed, 15 Jun 2011 11:14:31 +0100

Black Caribbean students are half as likely as white British students to achieve the new English Baccalaureate benchmark in their GCSEs, analysis by Runnymede and the Institute of Education has found. ...

Senior MPs call localism agenda “inconsistent and incoherent”

Thu, 09 Jun 2011 18:19:05 +0100

The Communities and Local Government Select Committee has criticised the government’s localism agenda, arguing that it needs a more coherent vision in order for it to work on the ground. It also called for marginalised groups to be helped...

40 years’ worth of Runnymede race relations material available to view

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:56:31 +0100

Our collection of press cuttings, interview transcripts, pamphlets, posters and reports documenting UK race relations since 1968 will move to the Black Cultural Archives (BCA) this month. The Runnymede Collection collection is unique, reflecting on the development of...

Leading thinkers get together to discuss multiculturalism

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 15:00:41 +0100

Some of the leading academic and political thinkers on multiculturalism got together to discuss the issue at the Magna Carta Institute Speakers included Lord Professor Bhikhu Parekh and Professor Tariq Modood. ...

Runnymede's online magazine now available

Fri, 03 Jun 2011 13:05:11 +0100

You can now download the latest issue of the Runnymede Bulletin for free. This season's focus is arts and culture, looked at through the lens of race equality of course. ...

New voices on race and ethnicity

Thu, 19 May 2011 13:20:34 +0100

A collection of essays from doctoral students comprise the latest Runnymede publication, New Voices, New Directions: Emerging Research on Race and Ethnicity Challenging policy, muslim identity, creating diaspora places and 'post-racial' Britain are all themes touched on in...

Video recording: "The genius of Australian multiculturalism?"

Thu, 12 May 2011 12:29:34 +0100

Watch a recording of an online question and answer session with a senior member of the Australian government and Runnymede director Dr Rob Berkeley. James Fox, Australia’s First Assistant Secretary for Citizenship, Settlement and Multicultural Affairs, spent a...

Become a Friend of Runnymede

Tue, 10 May 2011 10:21:43 +0100

If you, like us, are passionate about ending racism in the UK, why not support our work by becoming a Friend of Runnymede ? Your contribution could help us to continue keeping race equality on the agenda of...

Video: Is race still a significant disadvantage?

Mon, 18 Apr 2011 13:08:24 +0100

Two stellar teams of high-profile journalists and academics debated the motion: "Race is no longer a significant disadvantage in the UK." Find out whose argument won on the night in this film of the debate Arguing the proposition were David...

Number Games: Does race have a place in the Big Society?

Wed, 13 Apr 2011 12:18:12 +0100

Number Games , Runnymede's first documentary, explores how Big Society ideas have already played out in the US. The 25-minute film, which is the brainchild of Runnymede and independent filmmakers Feedback Films, explores how we can...

The racial wealth gap is not just an American problem

Fri, 08 Apr 2011 15:30:44 +0100

"Ethnic minorities in the United Kingdom also lag behind white people in accumulating wealth," writes Runnymede's head of policy research, Omar Khan, in a blog post for Reuters. The article highlights recent research from our ...

Secularism, racism and the politics of belonging

Thu, 07 Apr 2011 14:42:19 +0100

You can now listen to a podcast of a popular event that we co-organised in January 2011, 'Secularism, racism and the politics of belonging'. At the conference a panel of leading academics, filmmakers and others discussed how...

Senior MPs told: 'we need a greater focus on race'

Wed, 23 Mar 2011 10:36:39 +0000

A coalition of race equality organisations has told the Home Affairs Select Committee that the government is not doing enough to tackle race inequalities in the UK. The coalition, made up of Runnymede, Equanomics UK, Race on the...

MEPs discuss race equality and Europe

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 16:25:17 +0000

A debate between Members of the European Parliament from across the major UK parties will debate race equality in Europe on Monday 21 March 2011. The event, which will mark the UN International Day for...

What impact did Runnymede have in 2010?

Fri, 18 Mar 2011 14:54:17 +0000

Interested in knowing what we do to move closer to race equality and the impact our work has? Learn how we go about reaching reaching our aims and spreading our core messages in our Impact Report 2010...

Join us on Facebook

Mon, 14 Mar 2011 11:55:04 +0000

For the latest news in the race equality sector, become a fan of Runnymede on Facebook You can expect two or three updates per week, including our most important news and selected events. ...

Webchat about race equality in Scotland

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 11:40:39 +0000

Expert panellists debated the important issues concerning race equality in Scotland from 4pm today, 11 March 2011. You can view the archived webchat by clicking here , although comments are now closed. ...

Double the work with half the support

Thu, 03 Mar 2011 17:41:50 +0000

The speed and depth of the budget cuts are leaving smaller charities and community groups without time to look for alternative funding, or even to tell let their supporters know about their situation, writes Runnymede director Rob Berkeley on...

True multiculturalism acts as a bulwark against extremism

Thu, 10 Feb 2011 14:20:52 +0000

While the debate about multiculturalism continues to rage, Runnymede director Dr Rob Berkeley tackles the prime minister’s recent comments head on . Rob defines multiculturalism as Runnymede understands it: “The existence and recognition of different identities in...

Winter Runnymede Bulletin to be published at the end of the month

Wed, 09 Feb 2011 14:09:13 +0000

The Winter edition of the Runnymede Bulletin, our flagship quarterly publication, will be available to download for free from our website at the end of the month. Highlights to look out for include an extended article on multiculturalism from...

Police stop and search data is needed to account for equality

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 11:36:35 +0000

Members of influential criminal justice action group StopWatch challenge policing minister Nick Herbert MP ahead of parliament debates on stop and search. Writing for the Guardian's Comment is free section, Michael Shiner and Rebekah Delsol point...

Two-minute video interviews on racism

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 10:50:50 +0000

Watch some insightful and often funny video interviews on our new Generation 3.0 website Young people and over-55s from the underprivileged area of Handsworth, Birmingham, tell us what they think about racism and what their experiences of...

How do ethnic minority students fare at university?

Wed, 12 Jan 2011 11:14:39 +0000

Runnymede has published a new report on widening the participation of black and minority ethnic (BME) groups in the UK’s universities. Widening Participation and Race Equality , which features essays from higher education and race equality experts, highlights...

Scottish politicians write on race equality

Tue, 21 Dec 2010 13:30:52 +0000

Political figures from the Scottish National Party, Labour, Liberal Democrat and Conservative parties have written about race equality in Scotland in a new report published by Runnymede. The publication also includes academic responses by Ephraim Borowski,...

Minister skews facts on stop and search, says action group

Mon, 20 Dec 2010 15:41:00 +0000

A government minister skewed his facts when defending the recent proposals to scrap the stop and account form and reduce the monitoring of stop and search, reports influential action group StopWatch. Police minister Nick Herbert MP claimed that...

Runnymede director to give evidence in localism inquiry

Fri, 17 Dec 2010 10:36:01 +0000

Runnymede director Dr Rob Berkeley will be presenting oral evidence to an influential select committee next week on the impact of localism on ethnic minorities. Rob will be appearing in front of the Communities and Local Government...

New migrants in Northern Ireland at risk of financial exclusion

Thu, 16 Dec 2010 14:16:30 +0000

New migrant groups to Northern Ireland are at risk of financial exclusion, according to new report from ICAR@Runnymede . Low income migrants in particular meet barriers when hoping to open a bank account, for example....

Senior Runnymede researcher blogs from UN event

Wed, 15 Dec 2010 18:41:16 +0000

Very shortly to be fashioned into a blog elsewhere on this website, read comments sent from our head of financial inclusion research, Omar Khan, on the UN event he attended: Minority Rights Council: Forum on Minority Issues ...

Watch Lord Parekh speak about multiculturalism

Tue, 14 Dec 2010 14:37:43 +0000

Watch the Labour peer Lord Parekh speak on multiculturalism at our recent Jim Rose Lecture, by clicking on the image below. ...

Runnymede savings research quoted in parliament

Thu, 09 Dec 2010 14:39:48 +0000

Labour peer Lord McKenzie pressed the government to respond to Runnymede’s argument that black and minority ethnic people (BME)will be significantly affected by cuts to savings policies. ...

Online guidance on the Equality Act

Wed, 01 Dec 2010 12:50:45 +0000

Guidance on the Equality Act 2010 is now available from the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). The equality watchdog's website provides concise and clear information on the changes and implementation of the act. The EHRC also...

"Multiculturalism was good for the UK" says key race report author

Wed, 24 Nov 2010 10:54:45 +0000

Renowned author Lord Parekh defended multiculturalism against recent criticism and called on the Coalition Government not to abandon it as a policy, particularly as the spending cuts are acutely felt in ethnic minority communities. An video recording of...

Oxford University still 'a dream too far for black students?'

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 14:59:20 +0000

Just one British black Caribbean applicant gained entry to Oxford University in 2009, highlights Runnymede director Rob Berkeley in a recent article for Operation Black Vote . In the piece, Rob asks whether this reveals a worrying...

David Lammy MP on lack of black students at best unis

Thu, 04 Nov 2010 13:01:08 +0000

Labour MP David Lammy has argued that more needs to be done to increase the number of black students at the UK’s most prestigious universities, following the government's announcement of new reforms to higher education , . He...

Faith schools admissions may promote social inequality

Wed, 03 Nov 2010 11:01:17 +0000

Faith schools' admission rules have unfair “white middle-class” criteria and discriminate against immigrant applicants, says head of the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA) Ian Craig. The partially selective schools are permitted to favour members of their faith, with many operating on a points system. Prospective...

Expert consultants available through Runnymede

Wed, 27 Oct 2010 12:27:06 +0100

Experts in the fields of diversity, race equality, social policy and multimedia, among others, are now available to enlist as consultants via the Runnymede fellowship programme ...

Theresa May speaks to MPs on race equality

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 18:06:45 +0100

Home secretary and equalities minister Rt Hon Theresa May MP addressed the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Race and Community this week. Runnymede currently acts as secretariat for the group. In the session, held jointly...

Runnymede Bulletin shortlisted for a Digital Magazine Award

Thu, 21 Oct 2010 17:50:09 +0100

The Runnymede Bulletin has been shortlisted for a Digital Magazine Award in the category of Specialist Magazine of the Year. This is especially exciting as our flagship quarterly magazine has only been available in its newly designed online format since...

Reverend Jesse Jackson Sr launches StopWatch

Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:26:31 +0100

Reverend Jackson launched the StopWatch action group on stop and search tactics on Monday 18 October 2010 StopWatch is made up of activists, academics and campaigners and aims to cut ethnic disproportionality in stop and search by...

Runnymede welcomes Equality Commission's Triennial Review

Mon, 11 Oct 2010 14:49:29 +0100

Runnymede welcomes the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s triennial review of the state of equality in the UK. Published today, the review highlights that black people are more likely to be excluded from school, stopped and...

Ethnic Minorities at High Risk of Poverty in Old Age

Fri, 01 Oct 2010 11:44:09 +0100

Black and minority ethnic people are more likely than the wider population to spend their retirement in poverty. Today we publish new research looking at pensioner poverty and access to pensions among black and minority ethnic communities....

Exploring mixed-race identity and the arts

Mon, 27 Sep 2010 17:34:30 +0100

Experiences and expressions of what it is to be mixed-race in Britain today are the focus of a think piece, commissioned by Runnymede. ...

Our public services need an overhaul, say experts

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:31:14 +0100

Our public services in their current state are unsustainable, suggests a report put together by some of the best public policy minds in Britain. The Commission on 2020 Public Services launched From social security to social productivity: a...

Runnymede at the party conferences

Tue, 14 Sep 2010 12:14:25 +0100

Runnymede will be blogging and tweeting from all three major party conferences this autumn. Runnymede staff will also be presenting at fringe events at each conference hosted by Voice4Change focusing on'Equality, Fairness and the Big Society'. ...

Runnymede is recruiting for interns

Fri, 03 Sep 2010 16:36:25 +0100

We are seeking enthusiastic interns to join several different projects this autumn. Reflecting the diversity of work undertaken at Runnymede, internships are being offered in areas ranging from European policy on race relations, to a research project on Asian contributions...

Runnymede to launch fellowship programme next month

Thu, 02 Sep 2010 16:33:02 +0100

Our associate fellowship programme will be formally launched in early October 2010 with an inauguration dinner. Each carefully selected fellow will carry out consultancy work on Runnymede's behalf. Runnymede will be able to call upon this diverse talent...

Certain ethnic groups are less likely to use banks to save their money

Wed, 01 Sep 2010 11:18:32 +0100

Bangladeshi, Caribbean and Chinese people are less likely to engage with formal or mainstream financial institutions than the white population, often because they lack trust in banks and are reluctant to get into debt. Informal community savings schemes...

Roma and Gypsy families expelled from their homes in France

Thu, 19 Aug 2010 16:29:00 +0100

The deportation of France’s Roma, Gypsy and Traveller communities, as part of President Sarkozy’s new anti-crime initiative began today. Two planeloads of 93 people were scheduled to arrive in Bucharest this afternoon as part of a ‘voluntary reform...

Successful business consultant joins Runnymede board of trustees

Mon, 16 Aug 2010 16:42:19 +0100

Distinguished business consultant René Carayol has joined Runnymede's board of trustees. René specialises in leadership and culture, and has worked closely with prominent world leaders including Bill Clinton and Kofi Annan. Our trustees, who are the directors or our organistion, come...

Black Caribbean girls losing out in exclusions figures

Tue, 03 Aug 2010 15:16:35 +0100

Exclusion from school still impacts disproportionately on some ethnic minority groups, despite a drop in the overall numbers of students affected. Girls from black Caribbean and mixed-race (white and black Caribbean) backgrounds are four times more likely than...

Why our immigration system needs an overhaul

Mon, 02 Aug 2010 13:34:10 +0100

We must recognise the flaws in our immigration system and put justice and equality first, argue two members of Runnymede staff on a recent Liberal Conspiracy blog post . In response to post by the Institute for Public...

School exclusions report

Fri, 23 Jul 2010 15:16:03 +0100

Black boys and girls are still disproportionately excluded from school according to a new collection of essays by Runnymede. Highlighting that black Caribbean pupils are three times more likely to be permanently excluded from school than their white...

Launch of BME older people project

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 10:12:39 +0100

Runnymede has launched a three year programme – funded by the Nationwide Foundation – researching black and minority ethnic (BME) older people and financial inclusion. ...

French MPs vote to ban full face veil in public

Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:28:58 +0100

France's lower house of parliament voted overwhelmingly on Tuesday to ban the wearing of face-covering veils in public spaces. The bill is expected to encounter no opposition in the Senate, which will vote on it in September. ...

Victory for equality in ruling for homosexual asylum seekers

Thu, 08 Jul 2010 16:05:17 +0100

The Supreme Court yesterday upheld the right of gay asylum seekers to stay in the UK if they could show that they faced persecution in their home countries. The court decided unanimously in favour...

Trevor Phillips found not guilty of contempt of parliament

Wed, 07 Jul 2010 13:51:43 +0100

Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) Trevor Phillips has been cleared of contempt of parliament, a watchdog has ruled. Phillips was accused of seeking to influence a committee that was independently looking into personnel issues within the...

Migration in London is the focus of a new report

Fri, 02 Jul 2010 15:05:37 +0100

London’s role as a hub of migration to the UK is highlighted in a new report by the Migrants’ Rights Network . The presence of a diverse migrant population in London presents major challenges to the government's aim...

£25,000 raised to save asylum information centre

Tue, 29 Jun 2010 16:31:11 +0100

Individual supporters and funders have donated £25,000 over six weeks to save the Information Centre about Asylum and Refugees (ICAR) from definite closure. More than £3,000 came via cheques and online donations given by concerned members of the...

Important report on public services to be launched 30 June

Wed, 23 Jun 2010 17:20:05 +0100

The 2020 Public Services Trust launched Equality, Cohesion and Public Services on 30 June. The report b r i n g ...

Diane Abbott heads re-established cross party group on race

Wed, 16 Jun 2010 12:34:58 +0100

Westminster’s only All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) dedicated to race equality was formally re-established this morning after being inactive since 2005. The group – for which Runnymede acts as secretariat – today held its AGM and was attended...

Guardian columnist joins Runnymede trustee board

Mon, 14 Jun 2010 12:01:56 +0100

Guardian economics leader writer Aditya Chakrabortty is to join the Runnymede board of trustees. While most of his comment and news pieces have focus on economics, Aditya has also written across a range of other topics, including equalities...

Runnymede trustee interviewed in the Guardian

Tue, 08 Jun 2010 14:49:41 +0100

One of the country's leading playwrights and Runnymede trustee Roy Williams talks about his route to the theatre in a recent Guardian interview. Roy's new play 'Sucker Punch' is set in 1980s London, where racial tensions - both...

Video: European Muslims seminar

Fri, 28 May 2010 15:31:21 +0100

Watch a 60-second video of a seminar exploring what it means to be a Muslim citizen in Europe today, held by the UK Race and Europe Network (UKREN). ...

Video: Race equality debate

Wed, 28 Apr 2010 15:54:38 +0100

Watch senior politicians debate race equality in a 12-minute video of our Norfolk United event. ...

Party leaders sign up to asylum pledge

Thu, 22 Apr 2010 11:42:56 +0100

Today David Cameron, Gordon Brown, Nick Clegg and a number of parliamentary candidates signed up to an asylum election pledge. Coordinated by Liberty, the Refugee Council and the Scottish Refugee Council ahead of tonight’s second prime ministerial debate,...

Runnymede calls for racism to be kept out of election

Wed, 21 Apr 2010 11:42:03 +0100

Following the ippr’s findings that immigration does not increase BNP support , the Guardian has published a letter today calling for the three main political parties to publicly declare that racism has no place in politics....

Senior politicians write on race equality

Tue, 20 Apr 2010 14:31:00 +0100

Those of you who read my posts last week on the party manifestos will have noticed that aside from immigration and civil liberties they included few direct policies on race equality. The notable exception to this rule was of...

Immigration does not increase BNP vote

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 10:31:15 +0100

The ippr has published interesting new research today showing that higher immigration to an area does not necessarily result in its population being more likely to vote for the BNP. The report also finds that the key factors for...

Immigration key topic in leadership debate

Fri, 16 Apr 2010 13:55:51 +0100

Unless you’ve been living under a rock over the past few days, you will have noticed that the UK’s first ever election leadership debate took place last night. The first of three such debates over the next...

Manifesto round-up: Liberal Democrats

Thu, 15 Apr 2010 11:58:26 +0100

The Lib Dems are the only party to release a race equality manifesto ahead of the election. Focusing on key policies from its main manifesto, the Lib Dems directly highlight how these policies could potentially benefit those...

Manifesto round-up: Conservative Party

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 17:25:39 +0100

The big idea in the Tory manifesto is re-distributing power from the state to individuals, families and local communities. The party argues that by giving people more power over their public services poverty and inequality will decrease....

Manifesto round-up: Labour and race equality

Wed, 14 Apr 2010 14:38:50 +0100

All three of the main parties have now released their manifestos, so over the next few blog posts I’ll highlight the key race equality issues included in all. First up is Labour, whose manifesto was launched on...

Controversial crime bill passed

Tue, 13 Apr 2010 15:54:16 +0100

The government’s controversial Crime and Security Bill received Royal Assent last week. Of particular interest, the bill allows DNA profiles of convicted offenders to be kept indefinitely and for the profiles of those who have been arrested...

Lord Avebury calls for fairer Gypsy and Traveller policies

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 17:23:47 +0100

I recently noticed that Lib Dem peer Lord Avebury has written a letter to the Conservative Party regarding its policy on Gypsies and Travellers. The policy , outlined in a green paper earlier this year, states...

Runnymede evidence in UK Border Agency inquiry

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 16:54:01 +0100

Further to my previous post, it is worth pointing out that Runnymede submitted written evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee inquiry into the UK Border Agency (UKBA) which was published in its final report yesterday. In our...

Committee slams UK Border Agency

Thu, 08 Apr 2010 12:25:09 +0100

In what looks to be its final publication before the election, the Home Affairs Select Committee yesterday published a report on the UK Border Agency (UKBA) in which it highlights its disappointment over the body’s lack of progress in...

Immigration a hot topic at the final PMQs

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 12:50:18 +0100

The issue of immigration was raised today in the final Prime Minister’s Question Time before the general election – highlighting that the topic is likely to be political football throughout the coming campaign. Tory shadow immigration minister Damian...

Equality Bill to become law

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:44:49 +0100

Just in the nick of time, MPs last night approved the House of Lords’ amendments to the Equality Bill meaning that it will now become law ahead of the election. The bill is expected to receive Royal Assent...

Equality Bill completes parliamentary process

Wed, 07 Apr 2010 10:06:58 +0100

Last night the Equality Bill completed its final stage of passage through parliament, meaning that it will now become law. ...

Election fever begins

Tue, 06 Apr 2010 11:00:18 +0100

And they're off! Gordon Brown has confirmed this morning that the election will take place on 6 May 2010. Flanked by his cabinet, Brown made the announcement outside Downing Street where he emphasised his "ordinary background", adding that he will...

MPs debate diversity in parliament

Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:14:06 +0100

This week Anne Begg MP introduced a parliamentary debate on the Speaker’s Conference on parliamentary representation. Some of you may remember that the Speaker’s Conference recommended in its January report that more must be done...

John Denham MP writes paper on community cohesion record

Wed, 31 Mar 2010 18:00:59 +0100

Communities and local government secretary John Denham MP has argued that community cohesion has been at the heart of Labour thinking over the past decade, in a pre-election paper published by Runnymede. The paper follows essays...

Problem is integration; not number of new migrants

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 14:23:34 +0100

It is not the number of new migrants that causes tension in neighbourhoods, but rather a failure to manage integration properly, new Runnymede research suggests. ...

Anti-terror scheme criticised by CLG committee

Tue, 30 Mar 2010 12:11:36 +0100

The Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee has today criticized the government’s controversial Prevent programme, stating that it has stigmatised and alienated those it is attempting to engage and that it has “tainted” many positive community...

Lord Dholakia on ageing and ethnicity

Mon, 29 Mar 2010 17:26:32 +0100

Liberal Democrat peer Lord Dholakia spoke on ageing and ethnicity in a House of Lords debate last Thursday. In his speech he focused on the high levels of poverty amongst BME older people and highlighted the greater...

Lord Parekh on BME experience of the recession

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:42:49 +0000

Our patron Lord Parekh spoke on the impact of the recession on ethnic minorities in a House of Lords debate on the economy yesterday. Highlighting Runnymede research that BME people are more likely to be...

Equality Bill to return to the Commons

Fri, 26 Mar 2010 11:50:56 +0000

Following the completion of the third reading of the Equality Bill in the House of Lords this week, Harriet Harman MP announced yesterday that the House of Commons consideration of the bill will take place on 6th...

The Budget and BME Communities

Thu, 25 Mar 2010 10:47:32 +0000

What does yesterday’s budget mean for BME communities? As Runnymede’s recent report on asset inequality found, 60% of Black and Asian people have no savings, and recommended that the government should therefore do more to build up...

Budget Day

Wed, 24 Mar 2010 14:04:51 +0000

I will be publishing a post on Runnymede's thoughts on today's budget tomorrow morning. In the meantime, for those of you interested in the relationship between financial inclusion and ethnicity take a look at some of Runnymede's recent...

Equality Bill Passed by House of Lords

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 17:44:32 +0000

The Equality Bill has completed its third reading in the House of Lords and will now return to the House of Commons for further scrutiny. ...

Government calls for more ASBOs against Gypsies and Travellers

Tue, 23 Mar 2010 15:58:14 +0000

The government has today called on local councils to make use of ASBOs and other powers to tackle antisocial behaviour explicitly "associated with Gypsies and Travellers". In new guidance published today , the government states that perceptions that the...

Changes to immigration rules

Mon, 22 Mar 2010 18:01:38 +0000

The government has announced changes to its immigration rules , focusing largely on alterations to Tier 1 and Tier 2 of the points-based system. A new points criteria for both tiers will be introduced and in addition, asylum seekers...

Equality questions: EHRC faces further criticism

Fri, 19 Mar 2010 14:37:57 +0000

Harriet Harman MP and the rest of the equalities ministerial team were up for oral questions in the House of Commons yesterday, and faced a barrage of questions on the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC). ...

Government Gypsy and Traveller policy under fire

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 18:08:41 +0000

A quick mention of a short debate which took place in the House of Lords yesterday on gypsies and travellers. Baroness Whitaker asked the government why they have decided not to extend security of tenure on gypsy and...

Cameron addresses black voters

Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:45:50 +0000

David Cameron addressed black voters yesterday at an event in Peckham where he answered questions on issues facing the local and wider community. The Evening Standard has reported that at the event Cameron pledged to call an...

Communities Secretary launches Faith Group Fund

Wed, 17 Mar 2010 11:03:14 +0000

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government John Denham MP has today announced two new funding initiatives for faith groups. The first is a “Faith Leadership in Government Fund” worth £1.2m, which is, according to the...

Increasing pressure on the EHRC

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 16:09:29 +0000

The eagle-eyed among you will have noticed that the Equality and Human RIghts Commission (EHRC) has been facing increasing criticism over the past few weeks. The Public Accounts Committee published a report earlier this month on the commission,...

Committee takes evidence from the Met

Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:54:56 +0000

As we speak, the Home Affairs Select Committee is taking evidence from Tim Godwin, Deputy Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police and Kit Malthouse, Chair of the Metropolitan Police Association on the work of the Met. According to committee Chair Keith Vaz...

David Lammy MP on black fatherhood

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 16:20:24 +0000

Higher education minister David Lammy MP spoke about black fatherhood to a packed Committee Room in the House of Commons, as part of the Runnymede Platform series. ...

David Lammy MP on black fatherhood

Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:52:48 +0000

Higher Education Minister David Lammy MP will be speaking on black fatherhood today in an event hosted by Runnymede. A full report of the event will be posted on our site shortly, but check out some media coverage so...

Select Committee takes on DNA database

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 15:19:15 +0000

The Home Affairs Select Committee this week published a report which argues that a new centralised system is needed for removals from the DNA database. In the report - which outlines the findings of its recent inquiry into...

Government announcement on prevention of racism in schools

Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:21:22 +0000

The Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF) has today published the findings of an independent review that looks at the current provisions to prevent the promotion of racism in schools. While the report recommends an annual review...

Julie Morgan MP quizzes government on Gypsy and Traveller policy

Wed, 10 Mar 2010 10:11:06 +0000

MPs quizzed Communities and Local Government Ministers in its departmental oral questions in the House of Commons yesterday. Of interest, Julie Morgan MP (Labour), who is Chair of the Gypsy and Traveller Law Reform All Party Parliamentary Group asked...

Airport body scanners, Travellers and home affairs inquiries

Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:09:22 +0000

In the past few days in parliament questions have been answered on the impact of airport body scanners on community cohesion and housing benefit for Travellers. Click the link below to read full details in today's blog post. In addition,...

Norfolk United

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:26:31 +0000

Former Home Secretary Charles Clarke took part in a 'Question Time' style debate on race equality in Norwich. He was joined on the panel by Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb, Conservative councillor Antony Little, Green Party councillor Samir Jeraj, community activist Gita Prasad,...

DCLG annual report and parliamentary written answers

Fri, 05 Mar 2010 15:34:49 +0000

Today the Communities and Local Government Select Committee published its response to the Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) Annual report. As you may be aware, DCLG undertakes much of the Government’s work on race relations and community...

Wednesday in Westminster

Thu, 04 Mar 2010 10:40:34 +0000

A few parliamentary written questions of interest were answered yesterday on the gypsy and traveller communities, local government services for asylum, anti-semitism in schools and the government’s prevent strategy. Read today's post in full for details. ...

Equality Bill Report Stage

Wed, 03 Mar 2010 13:10:55 +0000

Yesterday the Report Stage of the Equality Bill was completed in the House of Lords. Votes were taken on the socio-economic duty, the public sector equality duty in relation to religion or belief, and on civil partnership ceremonies in religious...

Louise Perrett in front of Home Affairs Select Committee

Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:36:08 +0000

Today I tuned into the Home Affairs Select Committee’s oral evidence session as part of its inquiry into the UK Border Agency, to which Runnymede submitted written evidence. Louise Perrett appeared today in front of the committee, who you may...

Antisemitism EDM and asylum consultation

Mon, 01 Mar 2010 17:33:34 +0000

Welcome to the first post of Runnymede’s Westminster Monitor blog. There are two items of interest from parliament and Whitehall today – an EDM from Labour MP Andrew Dismore on antisemitism on Facebook, and a consultation from the Home...

A Matter of Assets

Fri, 29 Jan 2010 17:29:21 +0000

Up to 60 per cent of black and Asian people have no savings at all, reveals a new research report - Why Do Assets Matter? - from our Financial Inclusion team. The report highlights how tough policy decisions will have to...

Vote on Public Services Overhaul

Tue, 26 Jan 2010 09:36:35 +0000

Practical solutions to the medium-term problems faced by our public services need to be identified, according to the 2020 Public Services Trust ( 2020 PST ), which is placing this task at the centre of its purpose. ...

A New Approach to Young Adult Offenders

Fri, 15 Jan 2010 15:19:03 +0000

Ten recommendations on how to deal with young adults in the criminal justice system have been pulled together in the Young Adult Manifesto , which is published by the Transition to Adulthood (T2A) Alliance ...

Race Equality from a Tory MP's Perspective

Wed, 13 Jan 2010 11:57:39 +0000

Shadow Justice Secretary Dominic Grieve criticises the holding of a DNA database, among other government policies, in Conservatism and Community Cohesion , the latest report published by Runnymede. ...

Equality Bill Would Enshrine Anti-Discrimination Laws

Mon, 14 Dec 2009 13:09:45 +0000

Laws preventing racial discrimination could be supported and enshrined by the Equality Bill, currently undergoing its second reading in the House of Lords. ...

Amitav Ghosh Talk Available to Download

Mon, 07 Dec 2009 10:45:39 +0000

A podcast featuring award-winning Indian novelist Amitav Ghosh delivering this year's Runnymede Jim Rose Lecture is now available to download from the LSE website . You can listen to the celebrated author speaking...

Call for Papers: Conference on Migrant Civic Engagement

Fri, 27 Nov 2009 16:27:04 +0000

The Living Together conference, at which award-winning political theorist and Huffington Post blogger Benjamin Barber will be speaking, has issued an immediate call for papers . Also speaking at the event,...

Conference on Anti-racism, Refugees and Faith Organisations

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 17:22:44 +0000

Examining the role that religious organisations take in supporting refugees and battling racism is the focus of an upcoming conference, Migration, Racism and Religion , co-organised by Runnymede. Speaking at the event, which is to be held at...

Young, Muslim, Citizen - Identity, Empowerment and Change

Thu, 19 Nov 2009 15:25:41 +0000

Young, Muslim, Citizen - Identity, Empowerment and Change is a new web based resource pack by the UK Race and Europe Network (UKREN). The pack is an online resource for parents, teachers and youth leaders...

Another Perspective: BME pupils in white-dominated schools and 21st century governance

Mon, 02 Nov 2009 16:49:42 +0000

BME schoolchildren who make up tiny minorities in otherwise white institutions are the focus of one of our latest reports: 'Them and Us: Race Equality Interventions in Predominantly White Schools . While a newly published briefing paper looks at how racial diversity, or lack...

Belonging: Message to Policy Makers

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 15:45:54 +0100

The final report of the Belonging project is now available to download from the website. Belonging: Message to Policy Makers sets out to offer a policy interpretation of the discussion held...

Runnymede responds to the Home Office consultation ‘Keeping the right people on the DNA database’.

Tue, 11 Aug 2009 09:31:30 +0100

Runnymede submitted its response to a consultation on the National DNA Database, where the Government is urged to tailor its response to the ruling by the European Court of Human Rights in spirit of the judgement, rather than attempting...