Closed petition Stop using the umbrella term BAME or BME to categorise all ethnic minorities.

Closed on 24 February 2021

Despite the Government style guide saying not to use the umbrella categorisation of BAME or BME when writing about ethnic minorities, these terms still appear on gov.uk. Minority groups should have their own individual categorisation agreed through consultation with the groups concerned.

Different minority groups face different issues, challenges and have different needs. Lumping them together under one category does not help to distinguish which particular groups are disadvantaged or advantaged in differing situations.

Each group has a different lived experience and a one size fits all approach masks inequalities that exist for the different groups.

Describing each group individually would be fairer and allow for a more targeted approach in order to address inequality.

1,317 signatures

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21 April 2021

Related activity

Ministerial statement on the report of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities

On Tuesday 20 April, the Minister for Equalities Kemi Badenoch MP gave a statement to the House of Commons on the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities.

The statement follows the Government's publication of the report of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-report-of-the-commission-on-race-and-ethnic-disparities

Watch the statement here: https://parliamentlive.tv/event/index/b586787a-eb7f-409b-b20e-9cb31d21ddd0?in=13:38:40

Read the transcript here: https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-04-20/debates/1502466F-D06B-402A-B7C0-03452FFB1DA9/CommissionOnRaceAndEthnicDisparities

Ministerial statements are a way for Ministers to bring an important matter to the attention of the House. Find out more about them here: https://www.parliament.uk/about/how/business/statements/

What did the report say about language?

The Commission said that use of the term BAME, which is frequently used to group all ethnic minorities together, is no longer helpful and it was time the term was dropped. The Commission recommended that the government move away from the use of the term ‘BAME’, to better focus on understanding disparities and outcomes for specific ethnic groups.

Read the report's comments on the use of the term "BAME" in the introduction and recommendations [recommendation 24 is about use of the term "BAME"] here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-report-of-the-commission-on-race-and-ethnic-disparities/foreword-introduction-and-full-recommendations

What is the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities?

The Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities (CRED) has been set up by the Government to review inequality in the UK, focusing on areas including poverty, education, employment, health and the criminal justice system. The Commission, which is independent of the Government, will look at outcomes for the whole population.

Find out more about the Commission here: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/commission-on-race-and-ethnic-disparities
24 February 2021

Petition closed
24 August 2020

Petition published

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If this petition gets 10,000 signatures, government will respond to it.

If this petition gets 100,000 signatures, it will be considered for debate in Parliament.

This petition will stay open until 24 February 2021.

Closed petition Stop using the umbrella term BAME or BME to categorise all ethnic minorities.

Petition progress

Related activity

What did the report say about language?

What is the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities?

Petition closed

Petition published

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