GOVERNMENT FAILING ON RACISM & COHESION SAY TORIES
(17 January 2008)

A Government Citizenship survey released today reveals an increase in perceived racism and says there is less cohesion among young Britons than those over 75 years old. Statistics gathered from across communities from April to September 2007 reveal the reality of the Government’s failed policy of multiculturalism. Not only is there an increase in the number of people (54%) who feel that there is more racism in Britain today than there was five years ago but a worrying 23% of 24-35 year olds say people of different backgrounds get on worse now than they did five years ago.

The survey also shows that one in five people do not mix outside their own ethnic or religious group. Commenting on these results Shadow Minister for Community Cohesion, Baroness Warsi, said: “This survey does not make good reading. Despite the Governments best efforts to dress it up, some worrying trends are clearly revealed.

“Most worrying is that young Britons appear to be integrating less well than their parents’ and if this trend continues we could end up with a country more divided and segregated than ever before, with people living in parallel communities and cut off from genuine social interaction with people from different communities.

“Unfortunately this Government’s increasing incompetence and reliance on spin are not providing the answers. With 54% of people saying that racism is increasing, this survey shows there is some way to go in creating a Britain at ease with itself.

“This Government is clearly letting down future generations. The Government’s past policies of state multiculturalism have built up barriers and unfortunately led to a more divided Britain.”

ABOUT THE CITIZENSHIP SURVEY

The Citizenship Survey is a face to face household survey carried out by Communities and Local Government covering a representative core sample of almost 10,000 adults in England and Wales each year. There is also a minority ethnic boost sample of 5,000 to ensure that the views of these groups are robustly represented. It asks about a range of issues including views about the local area, community cohesion, racial and religious prejudice and discrimination, values, interaction/mixing, political efficacy, civic engagement, volunteering and charitable giving. The survey was first carried out in 2001.

The full Statistical Release for the first two quarters (April-September 2007) of the 2007-08 Citizenship Survey can be downloaded here.