Equality & diversity
Race relations
We have a vision of a racially integrated society that recognises and celebrates strength in its diversity.
To make this vision reality, we need to work harder to:
- protect everyone from racial discrimination
- improve life chances for all
- build community cohesion
This ambition isn't borne from political correctness. It’s part of our goal to build a completely civilised society where we can all achieve our potential, free from prejudice.
How the law protects you from racial discrimination
The Race Relations Act 1976 (new window) forms the legal foundation of protection from racial discrimination in the fields of employment, education, training, housing and the provision of goods, facilities and services.
Under this law, 'racial discrimination' means treating a person less favourably than others on racial grounds – meaning race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins.
This law protects you against people's actions, not their opinions or beliefs.
This means someone is breaking the law if they refuse to rent you a house because you're wearing a turban. But being privately prejudiced towards a particular racial group does not constitute breaking the law.
What to do if you've been discriminated against
The Commission for Racial Equality (new window) (CRE), Racial Equality Councils (new window) and Citizen's Advice Bureau (new window) can provide advice to individuals on lodging a formal complaint. If you suspect you’ve been a victim of discrimination you should contact one of these organisations immediately as time limits apply to bringing a case.
How we're improving life chances for all and building community cohesion
As well as protecting people from racial discrimination, the Race Relations Act places a general duty to promote race equality on many public authorities, including the Home Office.
Our current initiatives to improve race relations centre on:
- helping those whose educational attainment still falls behind
- providing culturally appropriate health services
- improving equality in security and justice
- extending protection against religious discrimination
- helping young people grow up with a sense of belonging
- helping immigrants integrate into our communities
Find out more about our plans to achieve progress in these areas by reading the 'Government’s Strategy to Increase Race Equality and Community Cohesion'.
