Why set up the Taskforce?

% of population by ethnic groups:

• White British, 55.9%
• Pakistani, 9.5%
• Indian, 7.8%
• Black African, 4.3%
• Other White, 4.3%
• Black Caribbean, 2.8%
• Bangladeshi, 2.5%
• Any other ethnic group, 2.5%
• Other Asian, 2.3%
• White and Black Caribbean, 2.1%
• White Irish, 1.1%
• Other Black, 1%
• White and Asian, 1%
• Roma, 1%
• Arab, 1%
• Chinese, 0.8%
• Other Mixed or Multiple groups, 0.8%
• White and Black African, 0.3%
• White Gypsy or Irish Traveller, 0.1% 

Source: UK Census 2021

Population % from racialised communities:

• Birmingham, 57% (43% White British)
• Sandwell, 48% (52% White British)
• Wolverhampton, 45% (55% White British)
• Coventry, 45% (55% White British)
• Walsall, 33% (67% White British)
• Solihull, 22% (78% White British)
• Dudley, 18% (82% White British)

Population % from racialised communities across different Combined Authority regions:

• West Midlands, 44%
• Greater Manchester, 29%
• West Yorkshire, 28%
• Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, 27%
• West of England, 21%
• South Yorkshire, 17%
• North of Tyne, 13%
• Liverpool City Region, 12%
• Tees Valley, 10%
• North East, 7%

The overall proportion of people for England and Wales is:

• 26% from racialised communities 
• 74% White British

• Black Caribbean children are 2.5 times more likely to be permanently excluded from school than White children.
• Second generation Pakistani, Bangladeshi and Black Caribbean children are more likely to be highly educated but less likely to be employed.
• The unemployment rate for ethnic minority communities is 2 times higher than for White British people.
• £24 billion value would be added to the UK economy if ethnic minority communities were represented.
• The race pay gap in the West Midlands is 9.5%, which is higher than the majority of English regions.

Source: Race Forward report (2023).

• Ethnic minority people are at a greater risk from preventable illness.
• Ethnic minority people are 40% more likely to receive mental health treatment in the criminal justice system than primary care.
• 66% of Pakistani and Bangladeshi people are expected to experience fuel poverty, compared to 52% for ethnic minority communities and 32% of White people.
• Black people in England are nearly 4 times more likely as White people to have no access to outdoor space at home.
• Black mothers are 5 times more likely to die in pregnancy or childbirth than White mothers.

Source: Race Forward report (2023).

• 68% of White British households own their own homes, compared to 50% for all ethnic minority community households.
• Black and Pakistani people are 4 times more likely to live in deprived neighbourhoods compared to White British people.
• 45% of minority ethnic children lived in families in poverty after housing costs, compared to 20% of children in White British families.
• People from ethnic minority heritage are 5 times more likely to live in  overcrowded housing in the West Midlands.
• 33% of applicants for temporary accommodation in the West Midlands are of Black heritage.

Source: Race Forward report (2023).

• People from ethnic minority backgrounds are 2 times more likely to live in a household with no car ownership.
• People from ethnic minority communities are more likely to live in areas with poor air quality.
• South Asian communities are most affected by traffic collisions.
• Only 14.5% of the transport workforce are from non-white backgrounds.
• West Midlands has the largest regional difference in internet use between different ethnic groups.

Source: Race Forward report (2023).

• Black people are 3x more likely to be arrested than White people. 
• In the West Midlands, Black people are 4 times more likely to be stopped and searched than White people.
• Ethnic minority groups are disproportionately represented in the youth justice system. In 2020/21, fewer than 41% of children in youth custody in the West Midlands were White British.
• In the West Midlands youth justice system, 70% of White children were dealt with pre-court compared to 30% of minority ethnic children. 
• In the 3 years leading to March 2021, the average homicide rate for Black people was 6 times higher than for White people and 4 times higher than victims of other ethnicity. Black women are disproportionately victims of sexual assault.

Source: Race Forward report (2023).

• Racism harms people and communities.
• Many people face more barriers to success.
• Many people are not able to reach their full potential.
• Businesses lose out on talent.
• The region is not as successful as it could be.

• Give people a fair chance to reach their potential.
• Unlock the potential of our communities.
• Support businesses to reach the best talent, make better decisions and be more resilient.
• Improve and take pressure off of public services.
• Enable the whole West Midlands to reach its potential and “Level Up.”