BAME people in Hertfordshire are slightly more likely to be employed than their white counterparts, bucking the national trend

Black and minority ethnic people in Hertfordshire are slightly more likely to be employed than their white counterparts, contrary to the national trend.
BAME people in Hertfordshire are slightly more likely to be employed than their white counterparts, bucking the national trendBAME people in Hertfordshire are slightly more likely to be employed than their white counterparts, bucking the national trend
BAME people in Hertfordshire are slightly more likely to be employed than their white counterparts, bucking the national trend

Some 81% of BAME residents are in work, according to the Office for National Statistics.

For white people in Hertfordshire, the employment rate is 78%.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Across Britain, BAME adults are less likely to be in work than white adults.

BAME people in Hertfordshire are slightly more likely to be employed than their white counterparts, bucking the national trendBAME people in Hertfordshire are slightly more likely to be employed than their white counterparts, bucking the national trend
BAME people in Hertfordshire are slightly more likely to be employed than their white counterparts, bucking the national trend

The employment rate is the percentage of 16 to 64-year-olds that are in full or part time work.

The latest figures show there are an estimated 100,500 BAME people and 643,700 white people in Hertfordshire in that age range.

Of those, 81,900 BAME adults are in work, compared with 500,000 white adults.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The unemployment rate measures people aged 16 and over without a job, who have been actively seeking work within the last month and can start work within two weeks.

In Hertfordshire, 3.6% of BAME jobseekers aged over 16 are unemployed. For white people, the rate is 3.7%.

Runnymede Trust director Dr Omar Khan said part of the national gap is down to hiring discrimination.

A recent Oxford University report showed that BAME jobseekers with the same qualifications as their white counterparts have to send 60% more applications to get an interview.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Dr Khan said: "Over the past two decades many ethnic minority groups have reduced the educational attainment gap, but these better qualifications are still not translating in the labour market.

"If you can't or don't progress any of your ethnic minority staff, you're a bad manager. That should be reflected in your appraisal, pay and responsibilities.

"We need to consider tougher measures to tackle discrimination directly, and hold out for greater penalties for employers who fail to improve."

Employment minister Alok Sharma said more needs to be done to level the playing field.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Mr Sharma said: "I am pleased that under this government the ethnic minority employment rate is at a record high. But there is much more to do.

"Where there were differences in representation, participation or achievement across ethnic minorities, we have been challenged to explain them - or change them.

"I have announced the roll-out of a nationwide mentoring initiative, designed to help jobseekers build their networks and get the work they want."