Why We Must All Step Up and Stop Racism in the UK

It is 60 years since the introduction of the Race Relations Act, which was meant to dismantle discrimination and promote equality, however, systemic racism still deeply affects Black people across every stage of life in the UK. From childhood to adulthood, the data reveals persistent disparities that urgently require action. Racism impacts Black people in education, employment, healthcare, and justice, causing generational harm and perpetuating inequality.

Childhood: Exclusion, Poverty, and Missed Opportunities

• More than half of Black children (53%) live in poverty, compared to just 24% of white British children. This creates barriers to education, health, and social mobility from an early age.
• Black children are more likely to be excluded from schools, with Black Caribbean boys being 6 times more likely to be excluded than their white peers in some boroughs, and 3 times more likely on average across the country.
• Black children miss out on Early Years learning due to a combination of socio-economic barriers and under-representation of Black staff in these settings. The lack of diversity in Early Years education has long-term consequences on Black children’s development and opportunities.

Education and Employment: Barriers for Black Adults

• Black graduates are paid less than their white counterparts, even when they have the same qualifications. The pay gap not only highlights systemic racism but limits Black individuals’ ability to build wealth and progress in their careers.
• Black entrepreneurs receive just 1% of total investment, with a quarter making no profit. The lack of investment stifles innovation and business growth within Black communities, perpetuating economic inequalities.
• Black African workers are disproportionately employed in roles for which they are overqualified. This underutilisation of skills and qualifications is a waste of talent and reflects bias in recruitment and promotion processes.

Exclusion and Racism in Adulthood

• Hair discrimination remains a significant issue for Black people in the UK, with policies in schools and workplaces disproportionately targeting natural Black hairstyles. This form of discrimination, though not explicitly covered under the Equality Act 2010, contributes to a hostile environment where Black individuals are pressured to conform to Eurocentric beauty standards.
• Black Caribbean boys continue to face disproportionate exclusions from schools, with data showing they are 6 times more likely to be excluded than their white peers in some areas. This alarming statistic indicates the racial biases within the education system that disadvantage Black children.

Policing and the Criminal Justice System: Over-Policing and Trauma

• Black children are more likely to be stopped and searched by the police than their white peers. This over-policing criminalises Black youth, with many facing unnecessary interaction with the justice system from a young age.
• Black men are over four times more likely to be arrested than their white counterparts, and more likely to be imprisoned, despite making up only 3% of the population. Black men also make up a disproportionate percentage of deaths in police custody.
• The disproportionate targeting of Black people by the criminal justice system creates a cycle of trauma and distrust in law enforcement, leaving Black communities feeling unsafe and marginalised.

Housing: Black Families Are More Vulnerable

• Over a third of Black communities live in private rental housing, compared to 16% of white British households. Black families are therefore more vulnerable to rogue landlords, housing insecurity, and evictions, contributing to further socio-economic instability.

Healthcare Disparities: From Pregnancy to Cancer

• Black women are four times more likely to die during pregnancy and childbirth compared to white women. Racial biases in healthcare, delayed responses to health concerns, and a lack of culturally competent care contribute to these higher mortality rates.
• Black women are more likely to be diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer, reducing their chances of survival. Similarly, Black men are twice as likely to develop prostate cancer and are more likely to die from it than white men.
• The healthcare system’s inequalities extend to mental health, where Black women are more likely to experience postnatal depression but are less likely to receive adequate mental health support.

Key Messages

• Systemic racism still exists in the UK, affecting Black people from childhood to adulthood. This racism takes the form of unequal access to education, healthcare, employment, housing, and justice.
• Black children face more barriers to success due to higher rates of exclusion, poverty, and lack of diversity in their early education.
• Black adults face ongoing discrimination in the workplace and are underpaid and under-represented in senior roles despite equal qualifications.
• Policing disproportionately targets Black people, leading to trauma, distrust, and over-representation in the criminal justice system.
• Healthcare outcomes for Black individuals are far worse, with Black women facing higher mortality rates in pregnancy and Black men experiencing poorer outcomes in cancer treatment.

For more data and information, visit StopWatch UK, MBRRACE-UK, and Cancer Research UK.

For more data and information on the statistics shared in this blog, visit UK Government Data and Runnymede Trust.

Steps We Must All Take to Stop Racism

1. Challenge Biases in Education
   Teachers and educational institutions must recognise and address unconscious bias that affects Black children’s educational experiences. Training staff to manage racism appropriately and creating inclusive environments from Early Years to secondary schools are critical steps.
2. Close the Employment Pay Gap
   Employers need to commit to equal pay for equal qualifications. Organisations must implement transparent salary structures and audit pay gaps regularly to ensure fair compensation for Black employees.
3. Invest in Black Entrepreneurs
   There is a need for greater investment in Black-owned businesses. Governments, banks, and venture capitalists should ensure access to funding and create pathways for sustainable business growth.
4. Reform Policing Practices
   The police must implement anti-racist policing strategies, ensure accountability for misconduct, and rebuild trust with Black communities. Addressing racial profiling, stop-and-search practices, and the over-policing of Black individuals is essential.
5. Culturally Competent Healthcare
   The NHS needs to improve cultural competence in healthcare, particularly in maternal care and cancer treatment. Healthcare professionals must receive training on racial bias and culturally appropriate care to reduce inequalities in health outcomes.
6. Secure Fair Housing
   The government must take action to protect Black families from rogue landlords by ensuring fair housing regulations and greater protections for renters in the private sector. Local authorities need to address housing discrimination and provide secure housing options for Black communities.

Final Thoughts

The inequalities Black individuals face from childhood to adulthood are evidence of the deep-seated systemic racism that persists in the UK. While the Race Relations Act was a step toward ending discrimination, the journey is far from complete. Every individual, organisation, and institution must play their part in dismantling these barriers. We must confront the racial disparities in education, policing, healthcare, and employment if we are to build a more equitable society for future generations.