Shropshire Star

Letter: Equality and diversity is not a 'non-job'

Letter: I'd like to comment on the story headlined "Councils wasting cash on non-jobs" (Shropshire Star, October 12.)

Published

Letter: I'd like to comment on the story headlined "Councils wasting cash on non-jobs" (Shropshire Star, October 12.)

This quoted a report from the Taxpayers' Alliance, which calls for councils to axe posts such as diversity officers, suggesting they are "unnecessary" and that money should be concentrated on frontline services.

I'd like to make clear how ignorant and short-sighted it is to adopt this attitude.

The work of officers on the issues of equality and diversity is vitally important to councils - especially at a time when services are under pressure and cuts will be made. People must be treated fairly and one group should not suffer more than another. Councils and private businesses have a legal duty to ensure they treat people fairly.

The development of the role of diversity officer in Shropshire Council has seen an enormous amount of progress in dealing with race hate crime.

Work has progressed in partnership with the police and Crime Prosecution Service. It is not just race hate, though, that has been tackled; recent initiatives against disability hate crime have highlighted how some of the most vulnerable in society are victims.

Councillor Liz Parsons

Champion for Equality & Diversity

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