HL Deb 17 July 2003 vol 651 cc146-7WA
Lord Ouseley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which departments of state have failed to reach their employment targets for minority ethnic staff and women at senior levels of the civil service; and what new measures are proposed to remedy any failings. [HL3870]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

We are committed to the ambitious five-year corporate Civil Service targets set for the Senior Civil Service (SCS) in 1998. Departments are making good progress on increasing the representation of minority ethnic staff and women at Senior Civil Service level. As at October 2002, 2.8 per cent of staff at this level were from a minority ethnic background and 25.8 per cent were women. This is up from 1.6 per cent and 17.8 per cent respectively in April 1998.

There are a range of measures in place both centrally and in departments to improve representation at senior levels. This includes Pathways—a leadership development programme run by the Cabinet Office targeted at minority ethnic staff with potential to reach the SCS; and a programme of outreach to universities and colleges to encourage minority ethnic applicants to the Fast Stream scheme. Many departments also run their own internal development courses for high potential staff from minority ethnic backgrounds. Departments have also produced race equality schemes which set out action plans on how new duties to promote race equality under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act will be met.

Following the successful pilot of the Cabinet Office Elevator Partnership scheme which paired high potential junior women with a mentor in the SCS. a framework has been developed for departments to customise to suit their own requirements. Also, we have set targets for women in top management posts and have made significant progress in this area from the baseline figure of 12.7 per cent in 1998 to 23.1 per cent in October 2002. In addition, a Civil Service-wide focus group was set up in partnership with Opportunity Now to look at gender issues, including development and progression of women.

Lord Ouseley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What minority ethnic staff networks exist in different departments of state; what financial support is given to each; and what benefits have been accrued to date. [HL3871]

Lord Williams of Mostyn

The Government are committed to developing a diverse Civil Service that is truly representative of the communities it serves. The Government recognise that minority ethnic staff networks have a very important role to play in this transformation and actively encourages individual departments and agencies to support their activities. In addition, the Secretary of the Cabinet and Head of the Home Civil Service acts as the sponsor for the Civil Service Race Equality Network. The Cabinet Office contributed £60,000 to this network.

Information on what networks exist in different Departments of State; what financial support is given to each; and what benefits have accrued to date are not held centrally.