Commenting on the launch of a review led by Baroness McGregor-Smith into barriers affecting people from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds at work, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“This is an important review. The harsh reality is that BME workers are still more likely to be lower paid or unemployed than their white counterparts, regardless of their qualifications and experience. The government must use the review as the basis to take genuine action to tackle discrimination. Without progress, millions of BME workers will remain at risk of being held back unfairly, and the economy will miss out on the full contribution of talented people.”
The TUC published analysis in February 2016 on the pay gap for BME workers. It found that BME workers with degrees earn 10.3% less on average than white workers, and BME workers with A-levels earn 17.1% less on average than their white counterparts. The TUC also published analysis in April 2016 on the employment gap for BME workers. It found that the unemployment rate for white workers with degrees is 2.3 percent, however for BME graduates this rises to 5.9%. The analysis also found that at every level of educational achievement, jobless rates are much higher for BME workers.
The following table is from analysis published by the TUC on 15 April 2016. For more information see www.tuc.org.uk/equality-issues/black-workers/labour-market/bame-workers-degrees-two-and-half-times-more-likely-be
Comparison of UK unemployment rates by ethnicity and qualification, 2015
Source: ONS Labour Force Survey 2015. All qualifications above include equivalent or similar qualifications.
– The following table is from analysis published by the TUC on 1 February 2016. For more information see www.tuc.org.uk/equality-issues/black-workers/labour-market/black-workers-degrees-earn-quarter-less-white
Comparison of gross hourly rates of pay for UK workers by ethnicity and qualification, 2015
Source: ONS Labour Force Survey figures from Q4 2014 – Q3 2015
