Diversity and representation are to be at the centre of a borough-wide Challenging Inequality strategy introduced by Islington Council this year.
Launched on 11 March, the Challenging Inequality strategy plans to tackle discrimination and promote inclusion in businesses and services. It builds upon the council’s Challenging Inequality Programme, which was launched in October 2020 and sets out targets to boost inclusion and diversity, as well as providing support for Islington’s poorer residents.
Islington Council’s Challenging Inequality strategy, which has been developed with input from the Race Equality Network and other staff forums, will focus on three main areas: promising to make workplaces “fairer, more equal, more inclusive and more representative”, working with local businesses to improve diversity and improving accessibility for BAME people in the borough.
So far, the council has committed to publishing their ethnicity pay gap annually, introducing Leadership and Development programmes for BAME staff and working with schools to introduce a more diverse curriculum that “appropriately educates young people around the racism, inequality and injustice faced by our Black community.”
Last night we launched our Challenging Inequality strategy. Leaders and staff from across the council came together to support making a #FairerIslington. Everyone, regardless of background, should have the opportunity to realise their potential and enjoy a good quality of life pic.twitter.com/GZ7ai4IglD
— Islington Council (@IslingtonBC) March 12, 2021
“We are determined to improve life chances for our residents and staff, ensuring no-one is left behind,” they said in a series of tweets. “We know this is not easy work – it’s a lifetime commitment and endeavour.”
Over the years Islington borough has struggled when it comes to tackling poverty and improving representation. The borough is the sixth most deprived in London, and one in three children in it live in poverty. In 2020, then-mayor of Islington Rahkia Ismail quit her post and resigned from the Labour party citing racism.
