Baroness says helping BME workers to the top will boost economy

The chief executive of Mitie plc is leading a Government review into acces to the labour market.

Government ministers met yesterday to discuss barriers to progress for BME workers.

Official statistics show the annual BME employment rate was 13 per cent lower than the white employment rate of 75 per cent. The employment rate for people of Pakistani or Bangladeshi ethnic origin was 55 per cent.

Baroness McGregor-Smith said: “It has never been more important to fully capitalise on the skills and talents of every individual in the workplace, regardless of their background.

“We need to remove the barriers that for so long have restricted BME talent from reaching the most senior levels in business. These actions will deliver long-term economic benefits for the UK.”

Business Secretary Sajid Javid said: “A good deal of work has already been done across Government to improve opportunities for people from BME backgrounds. But while we have seen progress in many areas, these troubling figures highlight just how difficult it can be to find a job if you’re from a minority background.”

McKinsey said companies with the highest rates of ethnic diversity in senior management were 35 per cent more likely to outperform their industry counterparts