New advisory body established to tackle ethnic minority unemployment

People from ethnic minorities will be helped to find work as a result of a new independent body launched today.

Twenty two representatives from across the ethnic community are to make up the Ethnic Minority Advisory Group – established as part of the government’s welfare reform agenda to boost employment opportunities for ethnic minorities.

Minister for employment Jim Murphy said: “Although employment against ethnic minorities is rising, the government is determined to do more to tackle poverty and unemployment.

“This is being done through a number of successful initiatives which the EMAG will play an important role in contributing to,” he added.

The employment rate in Great Britain is the highest in all the G8 countries at 75 per cent but ethnic minority employment is 15 per cent lower.

EMAG will advise on existing policies and also get involved in new opportunities such as the regeneration of the East London area in the run up to the 2012 Olympics.