The Ministry of Defence and the Armed Forces have shown their commitment to improving representation amongst ethnic minority communities by signing up for the Next Step Foundation's Diversity Mark scheme. Ethnic minority representation in the Armed Forces has risen substantially in recent years from just over 1% in 1999 to 5.8% in 2007. The Army has, for the sixth consecutive year, been judged to be the top Public Sector performer in the annual Race for Opportunity benchmarking exercise for its race related policies and practices.

The MoD is the first public sector organisation to commit to the Diversity Mark. Holders of the Diversity Mark actively encourage job applicants from ethnic minority backgrounds, and help with their career development. Diversity Mark holders also encourage senior ethnic minority staff to act as role models and monitor progress towards these commitments.

A certificate to acknowledge the MoD's commitment to diversity was received by the Under Secretary of State for Defence, Derek Twigg, and MoD Permanent Under Secretary and Civil Service Diversity Champion, Bill Jeffrey, from Keith Vaz MP, patron of the Next Step Foundation on Wednesday 23 May.

Mr Twigg said: "I am delighted that the MoD has joined this scheme. The MOD and Armed Forces are determined to become more representative of our diverse society, harnessing the wealth of talent and skills of individuals from different ethnic and religious groups."

Mr Vaz said: "Having the MOD sign the Next Step Diversity Mark as the first public sector organisation is a real demonstration of their commitment to diversity at all levels. I hope other Departments will follow their example and join the scheme."

The Next Step Foundation is a non-partisan, not for profit organisation that promotes diversity and leadership issues in the UK. The Diversity Mark was launched in November 2006 and is designed to enable organisations to promote their commitment to recruiting and developing personnel from ethnic minority backgrounds. Several major private sector employers have also registered for the scheme.

Further information visit www.thenextstepuk.org.