Racism is not always explicit or visible, often it can be systematic and structural (institutional racism). Systematic and structural racism is where the policies and practices of organisations continue the unfair treatment of different groups including those from minority ethnic backgrounds.

Systematic and structural racism may be found in access to housing, biased policing or in the criminal justice system, the education system or in employment settings.

Reports on race and racial discrimination in the UK

In 2012, a report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Race and Community (made up of cross party MPs) stated that ethnic minority women face discrimination, contrary to law, at every stage of the recruitment process.

A report produced by the respected Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS) in 2019, found that there continues to be systematic racial discrimination in employment across ethnicities in the UK. Black ethnic groups in particular faced higher unemployment (more than double that of the White ethnic group), lower occupational attainment and lower pay levels.

Legislation

Legislation to ban all forms of racism, has been in place for several years but there is recent evidence of ongoing racism in different areas of society including the police, the criminal justice system in England and Wales (Source: House of Commons and House of Lords) and the fire service in England. (Source: Race Equality Foundation).

In 2023, Police Scotland’s highest ranked officer, Chief Constable Sir Ian Livingstone QPM, stated publicly that institutional racism existed in Police Scotland and that this had to be addressed. (Source: Police Scotland)

Differences between ethnic minority groups

The Centre for Social Justice reported in 2020 that there was a need for greater research into why some ethnic groups in the UK do less well than the average, whereas other ethnic groups do better. With greater research, it was argued, a better understanding could be had as to the ways the key drivers of poverty – educational failure, worklessness and family breakdown – affect different ethnic groups and what solutions could then be brought forward to address.

Reference: BBC Bitesize: