Councils boost diversity figures

Local authorities in England currently have more staff members in top-flight positions from minority ethic groups.

The latest Best Value Performance Indicators (BVPIs) from the Audit Commission show that the number of minority ethnic workers in the highest earning positions has risen for the first time since 2003.

English councils reported that the number of minority ethnic workers rose from 2.6 per cent to 3.3 per cent in the top five per cent earning group over the year.

The 2005-06 BPVIs reveal that the highest proportion of high-earning ethnic minority staff is in London (22 per cent), while county councils have just 1.7 per cent of high earners from ethnic minorities.

According to the report, more still needs to be done to address diversity in local authorities as 167 local councils in England employ no minority ethnic workers in their highest paid positions, down from 189 the previous year.

The Audit Commission has also revealed that there are now more women in the top earning five per cent of council employees, with the figure up from 29.8 per cent in 2004-05 to 31.8 per cent in 2005-06.


© Adfero Ltd
Date:09/08/2007 10:41:12