Latest news with #EqualityandInclusion
Channel 4
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Channel 4
Reform out to dismantle UK diversity programmes
After making big gains in England's local elections, Reform UK are out to dismantle Diversity, Equality and Inclusion programmes in the councils where they've taken charge. Like Elon Musk's DOGE in the United States, they've pledged to axe council staff – warning local officials 'if you are a DEI officer, look for another job'. The party claims such policies, widely set up after the racist murder of Stephen Lawrence to combat discrimination, are themselves discriminatory. We report from Doncaster where the council is now controlled by Reform.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
What might Reform do with its newly-won power?
Following this week's local elections, Reform UK has, for the first time, won control of local councils. It is now in charge in 10 areas, and there are a further four where it is the largest party. The party also has two new mayors in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull & East Yorkshire. Having fought a successful campaign, Nigel Farage's party now has to show what it will do with its new power. Farage has said he wants to see "a Doge in every county". Doge, is the Department of Government Efficiency set up by US President Donald Trump and his adviser the tech billionaire Elon Musk with the aim of slashing government spending. Speaking to journalists as his party stormed to victory in Durham, Farage set out what that was likely to mean in Reform-led councils across the country. "I think you all better really be seeking alternative careers," he warned council staff who were "working on climate change initiatives, or Diversity, Equality and Inclusion" or opting to work from home. He added: "We want to give council taxpayers better value for money, reduce excessive expenditure, find out who long-term contracts are with, reduce the scale of local government back to what it ought to be - providing social care, providing SEN needs for kids, mending pot holes." Reform takes Runcorn from Labour by just six votes Chris Mason: Fireworks for Reform as Labour and Tories write election post-mortems His message was echoed by Darren Grimes, once a GB News presenter, now a Reform councillor in Durham. Speaking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said essential services were being under-funded while councils were spending "fortunes on net-zero pet projects, building rainbow crossings or hiring £70,000 a year diversity managers". Asked if there would be sackings, he said his party would be sending in auditors to see what jobs there are and "if they are good value for money". Speaking to the same programme, Tony Travers, professor of public policy at the London School of Economics, said there had been 15 years of cuts to local council budgets and warned it would be "very, very hard to find substantial savings in this part of the public sector". Reform has railed against high levels of immigration and the numbers coming to the UK in small boats across the channel. In its general election manifesto it said it would implement a freeze on non-essential immigration. Those with certain skills - for example in healthcare - would still be allowed to come to the UK. Local councils don't have control over nationwide immigration policy, but Farage has said his party will "resist central government plonking hundreds of these young men in these counties that we now run". Grimes said Reform would not "allow our communities to be a dumping ground for illegal migrants". The Home Office is responsible for housing adult asylum seekers while a decision is made on whether they can stay in the UK and it is not clear how councils could stop people being accommodated in their area. A rise in the numbers of people seeking asylum has led to hotels being increasingly used for accommodation. In its manifesto the Labour government promised to stop using hotels for this purpose, which in 2023/24 cost £3.1bn; however early this year a minister confirmed the number of hotels had risen since the election. Many of the party's newly-elected councillors have little political experience, however Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice says that will be "an advantage". Tice admitted there would need to be "a learning process" and it would be "ridiculous" to say there would be no mistakes, but that Reform councillors would be "honest where we get things wrong". He said: "I think in many, many cases that's an advantage, coming to something fresh without any emotional, traditional party baggage and applying common sense. "Of course there's a certain learning process for some people but I'm very confident we will do an outstanding job." As concerns around competency were aired by activists, party chairman Zia Yusuf confirmed Reform UK would be expanding its centre for excellence to train up new councillors. Yusuf has pushed Reform's Centre for Excellence as a means of professionalising the party and says it has already trained up 1,000 candidates. The centre is a crash-course in effective campaigning, as well as support with emails and social media messaging. Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments. It'll be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
What might Reform UK do with its newly-won power?
Following this week's local elections, Reform UK has, for the first time, won control of local is now in charge in 10 areas, and there are a further four where it is the largest party. The party also has two new mayors in Greater Lincolnshire and Hull & East fought a successful campaign, Nigel Farage's party now has to show what it will do with its new power. Town hall Doge Farage has said he wants to see "a Doge in every county". Doge, is the Department of Government Efficiency set up by US President Donald Trump and his adviser the tech billionaire Elon Musk with the aim of slashing government spending. Speaking to journalists as his party stormed to victory in Durham, Farage set out what that was likely to mean in Reform-led councils across the country."I think you all better really be seeking alternative careers," he warned council staff who were "working on climate change initiatives, or Diversity, Equality and Inclusion" or opting to work from added: "We want to give council taxpayers better value for money, reduce excessive expenditure, find out who long-term contracts are with, reduce the scale of local government back to what it ought to be - providing social care, providing SEN needs for kids, mending pot holes." His message was echoed by Darren Grimes, once a GB News presenter, now a Reform councillor in to BBC Radio 4's Today programme, he said essential services were being under-funded while councils were spending "fortunes on net-zero pet projects, building rainbow crossings or hiring £70,000 a year diversity managers". Asked if there would be sackings, he said his party would be sending in auditors to see what jobs there are and "if they are good value for money". Speaking to the same programme, Tony Travers, professor of public policy at the London School of Economics, said there had been 15 years of cuts to local council budgets and warned it would be "very, very hard to find substantial savings in this part of the public sector". Asylum seeker accommodation Reform has railed against high levels of immigration and the numbers coming to the UK in small boats across the its general election manifesto it said it would implement a freeze on non-essential immigration. Those with certain skills - for example in healthcare - would still be allowed to come to the councils don't have control over nationwide immigration policy, but Farage has said his party will "resist central government plonking hundreds of these young men in these counties that we now run". Grimes said Reform would not "allow our communities to be a dumping ground for illegal migrants".The Home Office is responsible for housing adult asylum seekers while a decision is made on whether they can stay in the UK and it is not clear how councils could stop people being accommodated in their area.A rise in the numbers of people seeking asylum has led to hotels being increasingly used for its manifesto the Labour government promised to stop using hotels for this purpose, which in 2023/24 cost £3.1bn; however early this year a minister confirmed the number of hotels had risen since the election. Inexperience 'an advantage' Many of the party's newly-elected councillors have little political experience, however Reform's deputy leader Richard Tice says that will be "an advantage".Tice admitted there would need to be "a learning process" and it would be "ridiculous" to say there would be no mistakes, but that Reform councillors would be "honest where we get things wrong".He said: "I think in many, many cases that's an advantage, coming to something fresh without any emotional, traditional party baggage and applying common sense."Of course there's a certain learning process for some people but I'm very confident we will do an outstanding job."As concerns around competency were aired by activists, party chairman Zia Yusuf confirmed Reform UK would be expanding its centre for excellence to train up new has pushed Reform's Centre for Excellence as a means of professionalising the party and says it has already trained up 1,000 centre is a crash-course in effective campaigning, as well as support with emails and social media messaging. Sign up for our Politics Essential newsletter to read top political analysis, gain insight from across the UK and stay up to speed with the big moments. It'll be delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Telegraph
10-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Labour urged to end ‘racist' block on white police recruits
Yvette Cooper has been urged to end a 'racist' block on white applicants from becoming police officers. The Home Secretary must take action against West Yorkshire Police or risk Britain becoming divided by membership of 'favoured ethnic groups', Tory and Reform MPs said. The Telegraph reported on Thursday that the force has temporarily blocked applications from white British candidates for its police constable entry programmes in an attempt to boost diversity. 'Under-represented' groups can lodge their applications early, leading to concerns that white British candidates are being unfairly treated, amounting to a form of positive discrimination that could be potentially unlawful. Richard Tice, the Reform UK deputy leader, said: 'Once again we see another example of two-tier Britain. 'It's disgraceful that West Yorkshire Police are treating white applicants as second-class citizens. 'The Home Secretary needs to urgently step in and put a stop to this. Reform UK are the only party promising to ban Diversity, Equality and Inclusion and return the country back to merit-based employment.' West Yorkshire Police has said its policy is to ensure that 'diverse communities' are represented by the officers serving them. But former officers have accused it of effectively running a 'hidden' recruitment policy that targets certain groups. 'Gold, silver and bronze rankings' One whistleblower claimed black and far east Asian candidates were considered particularly under-represented and given a 'gold' ranking, followed by those of south-east Asian origin who were in the silver tier. 'White others', including candidates from Irish and eastern European backgrounds, were bronze. Neil O'Brien, a Tory frontbencher, said: 'These revelations about appalling racist hiring policies at West Yorkshire police are shocking. 'For the police to be dividing different ethnic groups into gold, silver and bronze categories is bizarre. 'We should be employing the best person for the job, not judging people solely on the colour of their skin. 'What is the Home Secretary going to do about this appalling example of two-tier Britain? Seemingly nothing so far, but she needs to step in. 'We are sleepwalking into a Britain where people are not judged as individuals or on the content of their character, but solely judged by their membership of particularly favoured ethnic groups.' Ms Cooper told reporters: 'All police forces need to make sure that they have proper, fair recruitment arrangements in place. 'Often, lots of organisations do encourage more applications from under-represented groups, but they also have to make sure that the actual decision making, the recruitment process is fair and is making sure that it's about getting the best possible candidates into the sorts of jobs that they have.' Tracy Brabin, the Labour mayor of West Yorkshire, insisted the claims that the police force practised unlawful positive discrimination were 'baseless'. A spokesman said: 'It's absolutely right that West Yorkshire Police reflects the community it serves. 'That is how it builds trust, understands communities, and prevents crime. 'West Yorkshire Police doesn't discriminate in its recruitment process, and we fully support its efforts to diversify the force.'
Yahoo
17-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Questex's International Hospitality Investment Forum EMEA's Powerhouse Program Adds DEI and Closing Sessions with Speakers from Hyatt, PineBridge Benson Elliot, Accor, Radisson and Valor UK & Europe
IHIF EMEA offers new networking opportunities to connect the hospitality ecosystem LONDON, March 17, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Questex's International Hospitality Investment Forum EMEA (IHIF EMEA), the premier meeting place for hospitality investment in EMEA, announces its powerhouse programme is expanding with a session focused on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion (DEI) as well as a closing session where the IHIF EMEA audience will get the opportunity to engage directly with the speakers through a question and answer session. IHIF EMEA's 27th edition takes place 31 March - 2 April at the InterContinental and Pullman hotels in Berlin. Register here. On 31 March during the 'Own the moment: Perspectives on diverse leadership and governance' session, Felicity Black-Roberts, Vice President Development, Hyatt Hotels Corporation and Kristen Kozlowski, Managing Director, PineBridge Benson Elliot will share their personal experiences discussing the art of fostering a unique and productive company culture, with a particular emphasis on governance and promoting opportunities for a diverse, gender-balanced workforce. The session will be moderated by Charlotte Sweeney OBE, Inclusive Leadership Expert, Author, Member of the Forbes HR Council, Founder of Charlotte Sweeney Associates. The event's closing session on 2 April, 'Hospitality performance question time: Owners and operators, and asset managers in the hot seat', brings together Ruslan Husry, CEO, HR Group; Camil Yazbeck, Global Chief Development Officer - Premium, Midscale and Economy, Accor; and Elie Younes, Executive Vice President & Global Chief Development Officer, Radisson Hotel Group to tackle the most pressing questions in hospitality performance. Jon Colley, Chief Strategic Growth Officer, Valor UK & Europe will moderate. This session invites the audience to drive the conversation with questions and answers about aligning goals, optimising partnerships, and navigating today's complex market challenges. Joe Stather, VP/Market Leader, Operational Real Estate, Questex, said, 'We are extremely pleased to welcome these industry leaders to our conference programme. DEI is a vital topic. Not only does it create a fairer society by ensuring everyone has equal access to opportunities, but it also fuels creativity by bringing together people with unique perspectives. Additionally, we listened to the needs of our audience and we created the closing session with them in mind. They will drive the conversation with their questions, which should create a fantastic exchange with industry leaders. We look forward to bringing the EMEA hospitality investment industry together at the end of the month.' View the complete conference programme here. New networking opportunities to connect the hospitality ecosystemIHIF EMEA is prioritising networking, knowledge sharing and collaboration. The Power hour AI-based networking are AI-driven sessions which take place on 31 March from 14:00-15:00 and 1 April from 17:15-18:15. The sessions match attendees with the most relevant contacts based on goals and interests, ensuring fast, high-value introductions. Stather added, 'We are very excited about the Power Hour. We know that finding the right people at an event can be challenging. This new networking solution will make finding the right people seamless so they can start the right conversations, right away.' Additionally, is partnering with IHIF EMEA as a Global Distribution Partner to create the Bar & Networking Pavilion, a dynamic space for both dedicated meetings and spontaneous networking opportunities. With a central bar and café located at the heart of the IHIF EMEA Pavilion, it's a place where ideas flow, deals happen, and connections will be made. For more information about IHIF EMEA 2025 and to register, visit To register for a media pass, email Meryl Franzman at mfranzman@ For sponsorship opportunities, click here. Stay connected with IHIF EMEA on X, LinkedIn and Instagram and follow #IHIFEMEA25. About IHIF EMEA The International Hospitality Investment Forum EMEA (IHIF EMEA) is the premier event for hospitality investment professionals. By uniting influential hospitality leaders from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, IHIF EMEA aims to shape the future of the hospitality industry with three-days of content, networking, insights and deal-making. IHIF EMEA takes place 31 March - 2 April 2025 at the InterContinental and Pullman hotels in Berlin. About QuestexQuestex helps people live better and longer. Questex brings people together in the markets that help people live better: hospitality and wellness; the industries that help people live longer: life science and healthcare; and the technologies that enable and fuel these new experiences. We live in the experience economy – connecting our ecosystem through live events, surrounded by data insights and digital communities. We deliver experience and real results. It happens here. Media ContactsKirsty McKennaIHIF EMEAkmckenna@ Meryl FranzmanIHIF EMEAmfranzman@ in to access your portfolio
