Multicultural Britain – Successes and Challenges

Paul FaircloughDirector Partnership Programmes

British Council Poland

24 June 2006

Introduction

I will suggest that:• the ethnically and religiously diverse nature of

British society has been hugely beneficial for Britain

• that the British approaches towards developing a multicultural society have been largely positive – and are evolving

• that major challenges remain

Some key facts

• Around 8% do not classify themselves as ‘White’ (4.6m people)

• Around 50% of those are from South Asia• Around 5% are Chinese• Around 25% as Black or Black British• There are around 1.5m Muslims, 550,000

Hindus, 330,000 Sikhs and 260,000 Jews in UK

• There are around 200,000 Gypsies in UK

British Multiculturalism

• ‘accommodative multiculturalism’

‘’It interprets and applies its laws, and formulates and implements its policies, in a culturally sensitive manner, and gives its minorities the freedom and sometimes the resources to maintain their languages and cultures’’ Lord Parekh

• Statistics by ethnic origin or religion – for equal opportunities

The benefits of a multicultural society 1

Economic benefits:

• ‘’ It is estimated that in 1999/2000 migrants in the UK contributed £31.2 billion in taxes and consumed £28.8 billion in benefits and state services, a net fiscal contribution of approximately £2.5 billion after rounding’’ (UK Government report 2002)

• Ageing population/EU expansion• Migrants bring new skills and experiences plus

trading links

The benefits of a multicultural society 2

Cultural benefits:

• Popular music, Drama, Comedy, Literature, the Arts

• Fusions of forms/ hybrid cultures

Perceptions of multiculturalism in UK

A source of creativity and innovation

• In London 300 languages spoken • Over 25% of the population of London were born

in another country • ‘’ It is this mix of people that makes London a

vibrant melting pot for innovation, originality and cutting edge creativity’’ (The leader of the London Olympic Bid)

Attitudes to race in UK

Attitudes to race in UK (2)

Challenges - Education

Challenges – Asylum

• 2002 110,700 asylum applications (75% rejected)

• 2004 33,900 applications (89% rejected)

• 26% welcomed asylum seekers (MORI)

• 85% recognised media bias (MORI)

Challenges: Geopolitical, Economic, Cultural

• Impact of Iraq war

• Alienation – fundamentalism

• Unemployment within some communities

• Cultural divides/conflicts

Key success factors

• Appropriate and enforced legislation (e.g Race Relations Amendment Act – 2000)

• Pragmatic common sense solutions – not ideology• A responsible media – BBC, the tabloid press?• A strong NGO sector• Citizenship education• Representation in public sector, politics and role models• Economic and employment policies• Open debate – multiculturalism in UK today – social

cohesion/cultural pluralism

Vision for the future

• ‘A shared identity and common sense of belonging goes hand in hand with love of diversity’

• ‘The fundamental principle is to treat people equally and to treat them with due respect for difference’

• ‘To treasure the rights and freedoms of individuals and to cherish belonging, cohesion and solidarity’ (Runnymede Trust)