Fears over missing Black Children

Conference applauds the Government’s announcement to introduce adequate measure which will protect and support young runaways and missing children by ensuring that relevant authorities collect and collate data on runaways and missing children which is then forwarded onto a national database. Conference is concerned: about the alarming figures relating to missing Black children. A recent […]

Stop British American Tobacco Industry Eplotation of Developing Countries

Conference notes that In a shocking documentary on BBC2, it was revealed that British American Tobacco Industry (BAT) were promoting the sale of single stick cigarettes in countries such as Mauritius, Nigeria and Malawi thereby attracting children as young as 11 years old to purchase single stick cigarettes that worked out cheaper than the alternative […]

Developing Black Activists to Senior Positions within UNISON Structures

Conference notes the valuable contribution made by Black activists in achieving UNISON’s aim of being an equal opportunities trade union, as well as the commitment of Black members in providing a quality service throughout the service groups. Conference applauds the work done by UNISON in producing a Race Equality Scheme. However, what is being done […]

Communities in Control – Real People Real Power

Conference welcomes the white paper, Communities in Control – Real People Real Power. This Conference further notes the key proposals include: 1.A general duty on councils to promote local democracy through a range of actions which include; clearer information, better trained staff, improved engagement of young people and “more visible councillors in the community”. The […]

Social Housing and Black People’s Needs

Conference, there is a challenge to develop a range of services matching existing and potential social housing needs of our communities, by 2010. However, in the absence of any impact assessment on the social housing needs of Black and other minority communities, it is more likely that these communities will lose out on the grounds […]

NOT FOR SALE

This conference is pleased to note the research commissioned by Harriet Harman as part of her key priorities. This report published on Tuesday 29th January 2008 confirms that advertising women for sex is widespread in local and regional newspapers. Three quarters of the papers examined for the research carried advertisements for women or services offered […]

COMPENSATION CLAIMS

Conference applauds the Law Lords for their landmark decision on 30 January 2008 ruling that courts will in future have discretion to extend the six-year limit for claimants in cases of deliberate assaults. Conference congratulates Mrs A for her persistence in pursuing this for 20 years and supports her in her claim for substantial damages […]

ABORTION RIGHTS

Conference notes the announcement in the Queens Speech in November 2007 that the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill would start its progress through the House of Lords almost immediately and would be debated in the House of Commons in the Spring of 2008. Whilst not the primary focus of this piece of legislation, the first […]

MOVING ON UP REPORT; BANGLADESHI, PAKISTANI AND CARIBBEAN WOMEN AT WORK

Conference notes the ‘Moving On up’ report published by the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC) IN March 2007 which found that Caribbean, Pakistani and Bangladeshi girls obtain better GCSE grades , including Maths and English than white British boys. Yet Caribbean, Bangladeshi and Pakistani women graduates seeking work are five times more likely to be unemployed […]

DISCRIMINATION ON MIGRANT WORKERS AND IMMIGRATION PROPOSALS

The presentation on legal migration is concerned with policy on the admission of workers to Britain for employment and on the entitlement of such workers once admitted. Government policy on economic migration was set out in the five year strategy announced in February 2005, “Controlling out Borders: Making Migration Work for Britain”. Among other things […]

FIGHTING FOR EQUALITY IN EMPLOYMENT

Conference notes the alarming figures outlined in a research highlighting poverty amongst black groups. In April 2007 the Joseph Rowntree Foundation (JRF) published a report confirming that the poverty rate for Britain’s minority ethnic groups stands at 40%, double the 20% found amongst white British people. Minority ethnic groups are also being overlooked for jobs […]

TACKLING THE CAUSES OF GANG, GUN AND KNIFE CULTURE

Conference notes the recent spate of knife, gang and gun-related murders of Black youths is deeply concerning. However, former Prime Minister, Tony Blair’s comments that Black communities fail to denounce these crimes and that Black culture is responsible for these tragedies is completely wrong. Black community groups and activists have highlighted that government response to […]

Support for Sakira Singh

UNISON’s delegation to the National Assembly Against Racism AGM held in November 2007 heard a speech from Sakira Singh. Sakira Singh, a 14 year old school girl from South Wales has been repeatedly excluded from school because of wearing an article of faith – the Kara – that represents her belief. Prior to her exclusion, […]

Reform Stop and Search

An article cited in the Birmingham Metro newspaper, dated 31st October 2007, titled ‘Police do stop more Blacks’ referred to Black people being seven times more likely to be stopped and searched by Police than Whites. In addition the Ministry of Justice report confirmed that an extra 14,000 Black people were targeted by Stop and […]

BREAST CANCER PREVENTION – SAFE PRODUCTS

Widely reported is the fact that fewer than 50 per cent of breast cancer cases can be attributed to the ‘officially recognised’ risk factors understood to increase a woman’s susceptibility to breast cancer – for example late onset of menopause, body weight, diet or late age pregnancy. A growing mountain of research points the finger […]