Ealing Race Equality Commission will host its next public meeting on Thursday (27 May), looking at race inequality in income and employment.
Lord Simon Woolley will chair the meeting, which is due to take place between 5-7pm; and the commission will hear from speakers in the public and private sectors, including a senior executive from Heathrow Airport and the vice-chancellor of the University of West London, Professor Peter John.
The 12 commissioners will hear evidence about the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, including the scale of job losses in the aviation sector and its support services. The concern is that, as the rest of London recovers, parts of our borough could be left behind, and existing inequalities only made worse. The commission is looking at what can be done now to prevent this from happening and to help the local economy and people of Ealing to thrive.
You can be involved in the public meeting.
The commissioners are keen to hear from local people about their experiences of training, of support in getting a good job, and how easy it has been for them to make progress once they are in work. Organisations that support people into work are also encouraged to come forward and share their experience on where race inequality exists and what we can do to tackle it.
Income and employment meeting:
- Date and time: Thursday, 27 May, 5-7pm
- Participate via the livestream
- You can contribute to the conversation by posting comments and questions which commissioners will have access to
- Anyone can log on to YouTube and follow the live stream or by typing in ‘Ealing Race Equality Commission’ in the search box. It will also be available to watch on the Ealing Council YouTube page after the event.
Get Involved
The commission is inviting the public to share their views over the next few months. The commissioners are interested in what people believe can be done to reduce race inequality. The central questions that are being asked are:
- How are structural inequalities are impacting on race and outcomes?
- How can race inequality be addressed and prevented in the future?
- To what extent is the history of Ealing’s built environment impacting and perpetuating inequality?
One of the commissioners, Laura Forrester, said: “We have always known that people from BAME (Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic) communities have struggled to access jobs and training opportunities, and are often employed in low paid jobs.”
“The pandemic has led to an increase in unemployment and a reduction in household incomes, which has widened the poverty gap. We need to look at steps to identifying where the greatest need is and provide opportunities that are accessible to all people.”
We need to look at steps to identifying where the greatest need is and provide opportunities that are accessible to all people
Laura Forrester, commissioner
The commission is structuring its enquiries around themes, including education, employment, crime and justice, health, and housing, but is interested in hearing about everyone’s experience of race inequality, whatever form that takes.
Complete the survey today or write to the commissioners via email on raceequalitycommission@ealing.gov.uk. They can also be contacted by calling 020 8825 6100 (9am-5pm Mon-Fri) or by writing to:
Race Equality Commission
Perceval House
14/16 Uxbridge Road
Ealing W5 2HL
