Treasury sets new race target to have 6% of staff from black backgrounds

The Treasury has set out a new target that six per cent of its staff will come from black backgrounds.

It is the first time they have set a representational target for the ethnic group.

2011 census data showed that 3.3 per cent of the population in England and Wales are black, which means the target is two times the UK population.

It is the first time they have set a representational target for the ethnic group.
Dominic Lipinski

Civil servants at the department received a note labelled “Time for Change, Black History Month 2022” that said: “for the first time in the department's history, the Treasury introduced a new black staff representational target of 6 percent at all grades”.

Elsewhere it offered “targeted one-off support for ethnically diverse staff in completing job applications”.

The note went on to explain that the six per cent target was in line with population data “in London and across the UK” as well as being part of the 20 per cent ethnic diversity target.

In March this year, 19.2 per cent of Treasury officials came from a “diverse ethnic background”.

Speaking to The Telegraph, a Treasury source said: As someone who comes from a diverse background, I am deeply uncomfortable with race targets, and the implied idea that you need to see someone in a senior role to aspire to promotion.”

The note went on to explain that the six per cent target was in line with population data “in London and across the UK” as well as being part of the 20 per cent ethnic diversity target.

In March this year, 19.2 per cent of Treasury officials came from a “diverse ethnic background”.

In March this year, 19.2 per cent of Treasury officials came from a “diverse ethnic background”.
Dominic Lipinski

Speaking to The Telegraph, a Treasury source said: As someone who comes from a diverse background, I am deeply uncomfortable with race targets, and the implied idea that you need to see someone in a senior role to aspire to promotion.”

“Targeting help exclusively to people from one ethnic background is also seriously concerning.”

“I know white working-class people in the Treasury without university education who are looking to leave because of the perception everyone is from top universities; who will help them?”

Earlier this year, Treasury officials were asked to attend workshops called “Let’s Talk About Race” and “Delivering Male Allyship” whichencouraged “men in HMT to become active allies to female and non-binary colleagues” as well as “challenge biases… [and] micro-incivilities in the workplace and provide the tools and space for men to enact more inclusive behaviours.”