Equalities and Diversity

Race Equality Scheme

An Increasingly Diverse Community - Borough Profile

Approximately 166,000 people live in Barking and Dagenham - women and men, disabled people and people who are able-bodied, old people and young people, people from the indigenous white community and people from minority ethnic communities, people who are heterosexual, lesbian and gay, people from faith and non-faith communities.

The life experiences of these communities overlap. People's sense of themselves is changing and evolving. This is particularly so for the borough's black and minority ethnic communities, many of whom have recently settled here, but some of whom have been here for decades.

The borough has become increasingly diverse, particularly since the 2001 Census. For example, data produced by the Office of National Statistics in 2006 (mid-year estimates) indicate that:

Approximately 78% of the population of the borough are white British (85% in 2001)
22% of the borough's population are from minority ethnic communities including Black African, Black African-Caribbean, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Somali, Turkish and Albanian/Bosnian
Over 50% of the local population are women
Approximately 20% of the local population are estimated to have a Long Term Limiting Illness (Census 2001)
Just under 30% of the local population are aged 50 plus

Additionally, national research suggests that between 5-10% of the national population are lesbian or gay and this is likely to be true of residents in the borough.

Barking and Dagenham is an increasingly diverse part of one of the most diverse/multicultural capital cities in the world. This trend is a huge bonus to the borough and we are committed to carry out positive work to fulfil our community priority, 'Promoting Equal Opportunities and Celebrating Diversity.'

The borough's diverse communities will increasingly contribute to the cultural life of the local area, its business activity and the delivery of local services. However, increasing diversity and serious disadvantage continue to co-exist in Barking and Dagenham.

There is much stubborn deprivation and disadvantage which is reflected in:

A continuing problem with racial harassment/attacks and domestic violence
High numbers of lone parents on benefits and pensioners living on low incomes
High levels of long term structural unemployment
The lowest household income levels in London
The lowest number of people holding graduate qualifications in the country
Serious skills gaps amongst the local working population
Adult literacy problems
High rates of ill health and mortality

Deprivation impacts upon large sections of the local community, particularly the local white working class population, members of ethnic minorities, women, disabled people and older people.

Complex sets of factors have created this situation, including industrial decline, economic restructuring, social exclusion and discrimination.

The Corporate Equalities and Diversity Plan 2005-2008 incorporates the Council's Race Equality Scheme (2005-2008). It determines the Council's overall strategic direction to meet existing statutory obligations, and year on year priorities for the whole organisation.

Contact

James Oaten

Group Manager - Equalities and Diversity

Civic Centre

Rainham Road North

Dagenham

RM10 7BN

Tel: 020 8227 2105

Fax: 020 8227 2206

Textphone: 020 8227 2685

Email: james.oaten@lbbd.gov.uk|