As Black History Month begins, Minister for Equalities Seema Malhotra and Baroness Lawrence convened the first thematic roundtable of the Race Equality Engagement Group (REEG), highlighting the government’s commitment to collaborating with ethnic minority communities to drive meaningful change.
The meeting brought together leaders from ethnic minority communities alongside representatives from the Department for Business and Trade, the British Business Bank, West Midlands Combined Authority, National Police Chiefs’ Council, and Avon and Somerset Police. Discussions focused on improving access to finance for ethnic minority entrepreneurs and advancing the Police Race Action Plan. This session marks the first of several planned roundtables aimed at removing barriers to opportunity and tackling racial inequality.
The REEG, established in March 2025 and supported by the Prime Minister, is designed to strengthen government engagement with ethnic minority communities and enable effective, two-way dialogue on addressing persistent ethnic inequalities.
Minister Malhotra said, “No one should be held back or denied opportunities because of their race. I was pleased to join the first thematic meeting of the Race Equality Engagement Group, where we discussed improving access to investment for ethnic minority-led businesses and the Police Race Action Plan—two key areas in which we want to address persistent racial inequalities. I am committed to working closely with the group to remove barriers, strengthen accountability, and help create a fairer society for communities across the country.”
Baroness Lawrence, Chair of the REEG, added, “Collaboration between ethnic minority communities and the government is crucial in this current climate. The Race Equality Engagement Group ensures ethnic minority people have a say on the issues that matter most to them. I look forward to working with members to bring about real and lasting progress on race equality.”
The first REEG meeting at 10 Downing Street on 30 June 2025 allowed members to highlight priority issues affecting their communities. The government will continue this dialogue through a series of roundtables to inform policies and actively tackle racial inequality.
As part of broader efforts, the Equality (Race and Disability) Bill will introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay gap reporting for large employers, a significant step toward greater workplace equality. Delivering economic growth and opportunities for all remains a central pillar of the government’s Plan for Change, underpinning investment in public services and raising living standards nationwide.
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