It is important that in local government, along with other public services, standards of professionalism and courtesy are maintained which ensures discriminatory behaviour is not accepted. That means the rights of each individual are valued and respected. That it is imperative for a “colour-blind” approach to be maintained. It has become clear that equality, diversity and inclusion courses are quite pernicious as they set out to subvert such an aim. They promote division rather than harmony. This is deliberate and politically motivated. It is about promoting conflict between different groups. Separatism rather than cohesion is the aim. Black Lives Matter is quite open about wanting to smash the system and overthrow capitalism. Those in the equalities industry tend to be less explicit. But it’s the same appalling agenda.
Particularly controversial is the use of Unconscious Bias Training. Over three years there was a statement from Julia Lopez, then a Cabinet Office Minister:
“Earlier this year, the Government Equalities Office commissioned the Behavioural Insights Team for a summary of the evidence on unconscious bias and diversity training. Titled ‘Unconscious bias and diversity training – what the evidence says’, the report highlights that ‘there is currently no evidence that this training changes behaviour in the long term or improves workplace equality in terms of representation of women, ethnic minorities or other minority groups’. It also states that there is emerging evidence of unintended negative consequences.”
She added:
“Unconscious bias training may even have detrimental effects. The Equality and Human Rights Commission found that evidence for its ability effectively to change behaviour is limited and “there is potential for back-firing effects when UBT participants are exposed to information that suggests stereotypes and biases are unchangeable.” Instructions to suppress stereotypes may not only activate and reinforce unhelpful stereotypes, they may provoke negative reactions and actually make people exacerbate their biases.”
Therefore “unconscious bias training would be phased out in departments” and:
“The government expects other parts of the public sector, including local government, the police, and the NHS, to review their approaches in light of the evidence and the developments in the Civil Service.”
Yet despite being discredited its use is still widespread in local government, including in Conservative councils.
Havant, Solihull, Wyre Forest, Southend, North East Lincolnshire, East Sussex, North Kesteven, Essex, Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Peterborough, Hartlepool, Suffolk, East Cambridgeshire, Kensington and Chelsea, Gloucestershire, Hertfordshire, Surrey and Cornwall are among the councils using it according to responses they have sent me to Freedom of Information requests.
Surrey County Council spent £8,115.75 on unconscious bias training in the financial year 2022/23 for 138 staff.
Peterborough City Council informed me:
“This was covered in Equality, Diversity, Inclusion & belonging elearning module (from Learning Pool’s catalogue and reviewed by our EDI subject matter expert). Cost was part of a wider elearning subscription.”
It was “completed by 248 staff.”
Leicestershire County Council spent “£2,625 for unconscious bias training delivery.” There were “162 staff who completed the unconscious bias e-learning” while “84 people attended the training.”
Cornwall Council “provide this training in the form of a mandatory e-learning package that we receive as part of our Learning Management System. The mandatory product must be completed by every member of staff every twelve months.”
Nottinghamshire County Council reports that “497 staff undertook the ‘Unconscious Bias’ eLearning (which is a free off the shelf module provided by our LMS Provider).”
I would like to see the £0.5 billion equalities industry closed down. A Non-Discrimination Act ensuring the public sector follows the principle of true equality should replace the existing legislation. All the “positive discrimination” and “equalities impact assessments” should be banished. Ethnic monitoring should be illegal. No more asking anyone impertinent questions about their ethnicity, religion, or sexual orientation.
Yet even under the existing law there is no requirement for local authorities to employ diversity officers or to send staff on diversity training. Most local authorities (including many Labour local authorities) do not so do. There is certainly no legal requirement for the ludicrous “unconscious bias training.”
Why is Hertfordshire (spending of £5,785, “face-to-face attendees for this period were 46, while completions of our on-line Learning module was 161”) more woke than Hackney (“None”)?
This week a survey for the Free Speech Union found:
“Almost two-thirds of staff who undergo diversity training at work say they have had to conceal what they really thought for fear of losing their job.”
Is that the debilitating climate of fear we want in our town halls?
At the local elections on May 2nd it will be important for Conservatives to feel motivated to turn out and vote Conservative. If you have Conservative Councils wasting staff time and Council Taxpayers money on damaging thought control sessions then what is the incentive to vote Conservative? I am pleased that most Conservative councils do not indulge in such absurdities. But some of our colleagues need to put their house in order.
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Author: Harry Phibbs
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