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Communities and neighbourhoods

Government responds to the REACH Report

Date of statement	9 August 2007
Type	Oral

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Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said:

"This report is a significant and welcome study. We willcarefully study the report's recommendations before responding in fulllater in the year.

"We particularly welcome the report's emphasis on the contributionpositive role models - like doctors, lawyers, and other professionals -can play in helping raise aspirations and inspire young black men. Wewill consider how the Government might support this recommendation fora national role modelling programme, which emphasises those localpeople making a real contribution to civic life in their communities.

"Much has been done to tackle race inequality - but there is more todo. The new Commission for Equality and Human Rights will commence itswork in October and bring a stronger and renewed focus to tacklingthese issues.

"We are already making significant progress in tackling educationalattainment gaps but recognise we need to go much further. As a resultof work in schools, the proportion of Black Caribbean boys achievingfive good GCSEs is up 11 per cent points since 2003, compared to thenational increase of 7 per cent points.

"Schools are also already stepping up work to strengthen how theyengage parents - we want to this work extended and replicated acrossthe country."

"The recommendations in today's report are those of community leadersthemselves and I'd like to thank them for their hard work. We willcontinue to work alongside key stakeholders to remove barriers facingBlack boys and young Black men."

This week the Government also published its second annual progressreport on Improving Opportunity, Strengthening Society the Government'sstrategy to increase race equality and community cohesion whichconfirmed that progress in tackling race inequalities continues to bemade. This is available here.