The United Kingdom’s increasing ethnic diversity has
had no impact on levels of cultural segregation according to research from
The
University
of Manchester.
Dr Ludi Simpson says his findings challenge the views of Commission
for Racial Equality chairman Trevor Phillips, who warned last year that Britain
was "sleepwalking towards segregation".
Phillips repeated his claims
earlier this month, that communities are “shut
off from the outside world”.
Dr Simpson will present his latest review
of evidence across the UK this week at the Labour Party conference.
He has also been invited on October 10
to give evidence to the Commission on Integration and Cohesion initiated
by Communities Secretary Ruth Kelly.
His evidence will reveal:
• Regional population projections which show the fastest rate of ethnic
minority growth outside London and the South East.
• Analysis of mixed partnerships, showing white populations least likely to
marry out of their own group.
• Greater evenness of residence by all ethnic groups throughout Britain, especially
seen in suburbanisation.
• Greater diversity within urban areas, rather than domination by one group.
• Ethnic inequality in the labour market, which is as great in suburban and
rural areas as in inner urban ethnically diverse areas.
He said: “My review of evidence across the UK shows an increasing
number of people from ethnic backgrounds other than white living in Britain.
“ So
as a consequence there is a decreasing proportion of white residents in most
city areas.
“ However, there is no basis for the claim of decreasing
integration, nor a connection between ethnically diverse areas and inequality
or terrorism.
He
added: “It is not Britain’s cities that are more coloured,
but the analysis of them.
“ Issues of inequality, access of all to housing,
employment and care will not be tackled by focussing on minority white areas
alone.
“ Referring to areas of high proportion ethnic minority as problem
areas is likely to be counter productive, because they are here to stay.
It is no less prejudicial than referring to someone’s colour or religion
as problematic.”