This Lords Library briefing presents information on the recently announced review to examine the progression of black and ethnic minority (BME) people within the labour market. It also sets out commentary from a selection of external bodies and the findings from a Government review into BME progression in the civil service. Finally, the briefing references various statistical sources of information on employment by BME status.
Black and Minority Ethnic People in the Workplace in Britain (336KB PDF)
On 5 February 2016, Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, made a speech in which he confirmed the establishment of a review to examine progression of black and ethnic minority (BME) people within the labour market. Baroness McGregor-Smith (Conservative) has been appointed to lead this review. Its remit includes:
The review aims to report by the end of 2016. This House of Lords Library briefing provides information on this “cross-Whitehall Ministerial taskforce” alongside other initiatives that the Government has supported to increase BME progression in the workplace.
This briefing sets out commentary from a selection of external bodies and the findings from a Government review into BME progression in the civil service. Finally, the briefing references various statistical sources of information on employment by BME status. Recently published statistics from the Department for Work and Pensions has shown that:
The employment rate gap (the difference in employment rates) between the overall population and ethnic minorities for 2015 is 11.1 percentage points. Overall, the employment rate gap has gradually been decreasing since this [data] series began in 1993. The 2015 employment rate gap of 11.1 percentage points represents a 0.5 percentage point decrease from 2014. Employment rates for ethnic minorities saw a greater increase (1.4 percentage points) than that of the overall population (0.9 percentage points).
Black and Minority Ethnic People in the Workplace in Britain (336KB PDF)
The Commercial Payments Bill [HL] seeks to tackle late payments to small businesses. It would impose minimum payment periods for invoices, prohibit the use of retentions in construction contracts and provide the small business commissioner with greater powers. The bill received an unopposed second reading in the House of Lords on 9 June 2026. 30 government amendments were made to the bill at committee stage.
![Commercial Payments Bill [HL]: Progress in the Lords](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/01/Business-VIGs-568x426.jpg)
The Local Plans (Burial Space) Bill [HL] is a private member’s bill introduced by Lord Mohammed of Tinsley (Liberal Democrat). The bill would establish a duty for local planning authorities in England to ensure adequate burial ground space is provided in their local area. It would also require them to set out plans for how they intend to address any shortfall in burial ground capacity.
![Local Plans (Burial Space) Bill [HL]: HL Bill 8 of session 2026–27](https://lordslibrary-parliament.studio24.dev/content/uploads/sites/2/2020/09/Communities-1-568x426.png)
In January 2026, the government announced a new scheme to support urgent repairs and essential improvements to listed places of worship. Called the ‘Places of worship renewal fund for England’, it replaced the ‘Listed places of worship grant scheme’ which had run since 2001. This briefing provides an overview of both schemes, the government’s reasoning for the change and the reaction of stakeholders.
