THE GOVERNMENT has been accused of “dragging its feet” in tackling racism, and failing to make the issue a top priority.

David Isaac, who is set to step down as chairman of the Equality and Human Rights Commission next week, has called for a coherent strategy from ministers to combat racism.

In an interview with BBC, he said: “There are lots of people of colour who need supporting and for that reason a coherent race strategy is a top priority and I call upon the government to act urgently.

“I do believe the government is dragging its feet. They seek to understand it (racism) but are they taking action and is this a top priority? I don’t believe so.”

Reviews ‘not way forward’

The government last month announced it would form a new commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, however Mr Isaac doesn’t believe another review is the answer.

There have been several inquiries into racial inequality over the past years, including the Lammy Review, each which were published with a series of recommendations.

Mr Isaac said; “The time for more recommendations, in my view, is over. We know what needs to be done. Let’s get on with it.

“There are lots of quick wins – implementing the ethnicity pay gap, for example – so reporting on that, I believe, would shine a light on some of the disparities that we see in relation to income.”

Tackling racism government’s ‘top priority’

Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch said Mr Isaac had “never raised” his concerns with her, insisting tackling racism was a “top priority.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4, she said: “It’s just simply not true that the government is dragging its heels on this issue and I absolutely refute that.

Ms Badenoch argued the government had implemented 16 of the Lammy Review’s recommendations, adding: “And yet people act as if none of this work is happening.”