Letter: Sign that racial equality isn't working

Sir: Your report revealing 60 per cent unemployment levels for black youth in London (20 January) comes as no surprise. What does is the consistent refusal of government to devise policies aimed at tackling the disproportionate levels of economic inactivity among black and ethnic minority groups. These figures present the best social index of the extent of racial exclusion still in existence in Britain after nearly 30 years of anti-discrimination legislation. They betray the cost of complacency of both government and opposition parties in not placing the creation of a racially equal society at the top of the political agenda. Unfortunately, it is black school leavers who are continuing to pay the price.

Yours sincerely, Patrick Edward Director Great London Action for Racial Equality London, N7