Authorities in the United Kingdom should adopt an LGBTI action plan for England and make sure there is no gap in provision for refugees transferring from the asylum support system to mainstream systems of support, according to Council of Europe experts.
These are the two priority recommendations included in the latest report on the UK by the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI), published today.
The report highlights recent progress in a number of areas, including efforts to create more diverse police forces across the UK, the launch of a detailed and data-rich website to help develop anti-discrimination policies, and the political support given to Jewish organisations since 7 October 2023.
Other on-going initiatives welcomed in the report include the Refugee Employability Programme in England, Scotland’s Building Racial Literacy Programme and the LGBTQ+ Action Plan in Wales.
However, ECRI notes that some issues give rise to concern.
Firstly, a comprehensive LGBT action plan was published by the UK government in 2018 but ended the following year. Noting progress on this issue in Scotland and Wales, ECRI recommends that a new national action plan should be developed for England, in close consultation with civil society.
ECRI also describes the 28-day ‘move-on period’ for newly-recognised refugees to transfer from the asylum support system to mainstream systems of support as a major obstacle to smooth integration, leaving many people homeless and destitute.
In addition, ECRI highlights a drastic increase in hate speech against Jews following the terrorist attack of 7 October 2023 against Israel and the subsequent war in Gaza, as well as a marked increase in anti-Muslim hate speech – especially online.
Concerning Northern Ireland, ECRI expresses deep concern about a significant increase in violent attacks against businesses owned by people with a migration background and places of worship for religious minorities. ECRI highlights the possible involvement of paramilitary groups in such attacks, which police have reportedly been reluctant to investigate for fear of upsetting the peace.
Furthermore, ECRI notes the relatively small proportion of Black and ethnic minority teachers in England, Wales and particularly Scotland.
ECRI is also concerned about the progressive reduction of the annual budget of Britain’s Equality and Human Rights Commission from £60 million in 2008-9 to just £17.1 million today.
Further recommendations include encouraging schools to improve the recording of racist and anti-LGBTI bullying, adopting a national strategy with regard to “Gypsy”, Roma and Traveller communities and reviewing laws and policies aimed at countering terrorism and violent crime to ensure they do not discriminate against certain groups, in particular Muslims and people of African descent.
Today’s report has been published together with the response of the UK authorities.
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