TWO THIRDS of black individuals living in the UK believe racism has not changed or has become worse during their lifetimes.

A poll has revealed discrimination is still rife for black, Asian and ethnic minority (BAME) communities, with large numbers reporting regular incidents of racial abuse – both verbal and physical.

Muslim men and women are thought to face the most discrimination, followed by black men and women.

The poll also found black respondents were twice as likely as white respondents to believe racism was prevalent across the country.

Of those asked, over three quarters of black individuals believed there was a fair or great level of racism in the UK, compared to around two thirds of white people.

Lack of perceived progress

Strikingly, there appears to be a big lack of perceived progress in racism over the years.

The poll found 55% of ethnic minorities believe racism has stayed the same or become worse during their lifetime, compared to 29% who felt it had reduced.

Of these, 34% black respondents believe racism has worsened, and 30% said they’d seen no change.

The poll spoke to 3,000 respondents – half of which were from BAME background – and was carried out for the ITV programme Stephen Lawrence: Has Britain Changed.

The live panel show aired after the first episode of a three-part drama into the death of Lawrence.

Headed by Rageh Omaar and Anushka Asthana, it examined the results of the poll and what needed to change in the UK.