KEY
THEMES
There
are six elements of this: - Community
Safety
- Education
- Employment
& Skills
- Health
- Social
Exclusion
- Youth
Disffection
COMMUNITY
SAFETY ASIANS
HAVE A TENDENCY NOT TO REPORT CRIMES.
FACTS:
- Only
8% of the respondents to the Kirklees Crime & Disorder - Household Survey
(2001) described their ethnic origin as Asian. The survey report does not specifically
highlight the experiences and fears of the Asian communities.
- The
total results for the Asian sample were based on 42 returned questionnaires so
the statistical significance is limited.
- Experience
of crime varied from the white population: 1. Racial Incidents, 2.Vandalism, 3.Theft
from Vehicle compared with 1.Vandalism 2. Criminal Damage. 3.Theft from vehicle.
- Fear
of crime was significantly different to the white population: 1. Racial Incidents,
2.Violence in a public place, 3. Violence from a stranger & burglary from
your house compared with 1. Burglary from your house, 2.Vandalism and 3. Robbery
& theft from vehicle.
- Compared
to the other two groups Asian respondents were less likely to report fears to
a voluntary organization (Kirklees 70.5%, Dews/Batley 71.1%, Dews/Batley Asian
68.6%) but appear to be more likely to report violent crime to the police (Kirklees
28.1%, Dew/Batley 31.6%, Dews/Batley Asian 66.7%).
- Twice
as many respondents under the age of 25yrs (40%) thought there was a problem of
racism in their area compared with respondents over 60 (20%).
- 42.9%
of Dewsbury/ Batley Asian respondents thought there is a problem of racism in
the area, similar to all respondents in Dewsbury/Batley (41.1%). Kirklees 30.2%.
- Out
of the 61 Kirklees respondents who had been victims of racist incidents only one
quarter (26%) had reported it to the police. 78% of Talkback respondents who had
been victims of a racist incident had not reported it.
- Of
all the respondents who thought that there was a problem of racism in their area
only 10% were very confident that it was being tackled.
- 38.9%
of Dewsbury/ Batley Asian respondents thought that drugs affected their area compared
with 43% of all respondents in Dewsbury/Batley and 40.9% all respondents Kirklees.
- In
line with the UK most actual victims of crime are between 20 - 49 but those who
have the higher level of fear of crime are older.
Current
available police crime statistics by victim ethnicity rely on a visual classification
and there are a large number of cases where ethnicity is unknown.
ISSUES:
- Lack
of local (comparative) statistical data.
- Crimes
against Asian individuals and communities appear to be significantly under reported.
- Cultural
isolation, exclusion and language barriers
- Racist
incidents
- The
fear of crime and the fear of different crimes to the Kirklees population in general.
ACTIONS:
- Need
to carry out a local data survey.
- Develop
community awareness of local services, provision and crime prevention information.
- Provide
a means for, and encourage victims of crime to report the incident and receive
support.
- Provide
a forum for people to voice their fears of crime and provide positive information.
- Look
at ways that communities can tackle, for example, offending behaviour and environmental
factors.
- Establish
representation on bodies such as the Community Safety Forum, Community Safety
Partnership Executive, Police Forums and local Police Authority.
- Bring
communities together and look at issues relating to community cohesion and social
exclusion
- Address
issues around islamaphobia.
(Top
of the Page) EDUCATION HEADLINE:
BELOW AVERAGE EDUCATIONAL ACHIEVEMENT FACTS: - North
Kirklees pupils aged 11 underachieve compared with the UK average. Percentage
of age group that reached the level expected for their age (DFES figures for 2000):
- Pakistani
pupils achieve significantly less at GCSE and achievements deteriorated in 2001
from the previous year. 2000
- Key
Stage 2 results (2003) Pakistani Children underachieved in Literacy and Numeracy
compared to its white counterparts in Kirklees.
- GCSE
results (2003) 38 per cent of Pakistani pupils achieved five or more A*- C grade
GCSEs, where as 49 percent White pupils achieved five or more A*-C grade GCSEs
in Kirklees, (Education Service)
- Kirklees
GCSE performance tables 2003 results. 47.2% for 5 or more grades A*- C, compared
to the England Average of 52.90%. Kirklees is still under performing, (Education
Service).
- Both
Pakistani boys (29.4%) and girls (49.5%) achieve less 5 or more A*-C grades compared
to both White boys (44.1%) and girls (56.0%) in Kirklees (Fact Sheet 2003).
- In
2001/02, only people from the Black Caribbean, Other Black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi
groups were less likely than White British people to have degrees (or equivalent).
Among men, Black Caribbeans were the least likely to have degrees ((8 per cent).
Among women, Pakistanis/Bangladeshis were the least likely group to have degrees
(7 per cent).Pakistanis and Bangladeshis were the most likely to be unqualified.
Nearly half (48 per cent) of Bangladeshi women and 40 per cent of Bangladeshi
men had no qualifications. Among Pakistanis, 40 per cent of women and 28 per cent
of men had no qualifications. (Source National Statistics)
ISSUES:
- Lower
levels of educational attainment at each level of the statutory educational process.
- Cultural
isolation, exclusion and language barriers.
- Parents
feel unable or are unable to help children to learn.
- Lack
of participation on school governing bodies.
- No
voluntary-aided faith school in the area.
- Lack
of quality pre-school provision.
- Low
take up on adult non-vocational courses.
- Schools
not fully engaging with their local communities.
- Lack
of awareness of educational developments.
ACTIONS:
- Gather
local information regarding local communities eg the need for English language
support.
- Provide
pre-school learning groups.
- Provide
additional classes to increase levels of literacy and numeracy.
- Provide
a forum for young people to voice their concerns about education and involve them
in developing solutions.
- Work
with parents to develop strategies and actions to support them in helping their
children to learn.
-
Establish representation on educational bodies.
- Become
an authoritative and consulted body for those designing and providing educational
provision that aim to serve the communities.
(Top
of the Page) EMPLOYMENT
& SKILLS HEADLINE:
UNEMPLOYMENT RATES AMONG PEOPLE FROM SOUTH ASIAN COMMUNITIES ARE HIGHER THAN FOR
WHITE PEOPLE, REGARDLESS OF QUALIFICATIONS, AGE AND GENDER. FACTS:
- Nationally
unemployment is higher amongst minority ethnic groups (6-8%) than white people
(3%), regardless of qualifications, age and gender.
- In
Kirklees unemployment rates are significantly higher among Asian people than white,
24.8% compared with 7.4% (1991 Census).
- Different
sub-groups suffer different rates of unemployment.
- South
Asian communities unemployment rates increase quicker and are slower to recover
and therefore likely to be long-term unemployed.
- Average
earnings for Asian people are lower than the earnings of white people. The average
gross earnings per week for all white people was £190, compared with £140
for Asian people (Kirklees and Calderdale Skills Audit 1991). Average UK hourly
rates - White £7.22, Indian £6.53, Pakistani/Bangladeshi £5.15
(Labour Force Survey Spring 1995.
- Different
sub-groups within minority ethnic communities have different experiences, needs
and attitudes regarding learning, skills and employment.
- Basic
skills are low/very low. The Basic Skills Survey (Kirklees 1996/7) did not carry
out interviews with people who were not conversant in fluent English and therefore
the findings are likely to be underestimations: low/very low literacy - UK 15%,
Kirklees 17.5%, Batley and Dewsbury 22%; low/very low numeracy - UK 33%, Kirklees
37.9%, Batley and Dewsbury 44-46%.
ISSUES:
- Lack
of local information regarding the experience of minority ethnic groups in regard
to learning, skills and employment.
- Lack
of statistical data regarding official unemployment records as information based
on ethnicity is not computerised and the Labour Force Survey is too generalised.
- Inadequate
knowledge regarding the different needs of the different groups that make up the
minority ethnic communities.
- Education
and training system not sensitive to the different needs of minority ethnic groups.
- Significantly
low/very low levels of literacy and numeracy basic skills.
- Language
barriers.
ACTIONS:
- Acquire
localised base line information regarding unemployment and other labour market
information.
- Investigative
research into the different experiences (and attitudes to) of training, education
and skills of the different groups that make up the community in Kirklees; develop
strategies in accordance with these.
- Sensitisation
of education and training providers to the differing needs of minority ethnic
groups and the sub groups within.
- Strategies
that would meet these differing needs, e.g. home based learning.
- Advocate
specific recommendations and flexibility in employment structures.
- Assist
in the removal barriers to learning, education and employment, e.g. language.
- Identify
growth areas of employment and skill shortage and develop strategies to exploit
access to these.
(Top
of the Page) HEALTH EXISTING
HEALTH INEQUALITIES BETWEEN DIFFERENT GROUPS ARE OFTEN UNNECESSARY AND AVOIDABLE. FACTS: High
levels of: - Coronary
heart disease:The incidence of coronary heart disease among South Asian men combined
was over 30% higher than for men in the general population.
- CVD
60% / 70% higher than general population in Pakistani and Bangladeshi
- Cancer:
especially cervical and lung cancers, breast cancer, screening for testicular
cancer for men is very low.
- Diabetes:
nationally people from Pakistan are 5x and India 3x more like to suffer from diabetes
than the general population.
- TB
on the increase amongst South Asian Communities.
- Accidents.
- Mental
health on the increase amongst South Asian Communities.
- Drug
and substance misuse.
- High
infant mortality (under 1 year).
- Obesity
26% amongst Pakistani communities
ISSUES:
- Health
inequalities.
- Cultural
Awareness & competency.
- Resources.
- Prevention
& health promotion.
- Ethnic
Monitoring.
- Many
of the variations in health status between groups are also related to socio-economic
differences.
- Cultural
isolation, exclusion, language & communication barriers.
- Lifestyles-
a mixture of east & west cultures.
- Knowledge
of benefit and other entitlements
ACTIONS:
- Acquire
more baseline information through health and lifestyle surveys & appropriate
research including needs assessment & needs analysis specifically for South
Asian communities.
- Race
& Cultural awareness Training for all Health & Social care staff.
- Recruit
staff from Ethnic minority communities who can be involved in planning, commissioning
& decision making.
- Reduce
risk factors and increase positive influences through education and awareness
events, fitness and health programmes, increase physical activity programmes amongst
the South Asian population.
- Development
of appropriate support mechanisms for those with Health & community care needs
and their carers including families.
- Become
engaged & involved with Health agencies and Social Care organisations - from
the setting of their agendas/strategies to assessing, monitoring and evaluating
their provision - to meet cultural, religious linguistic & communication needs.
- Gather
information about who is doing what & ensure a better co-ordinated & cohesive
approach to Race Equality.
- Identify
gaps where partner organisations that include Statutory/Voluntary & Community
Organisations can provide appropriate culturally sensitive and supportive provisions
to members of the Community.
- Better
involvement of patient & public in seeking views and opinions on health &
health core standards.
- To
develop structured exercise programmes for South Asian men.
- Recruit
more South Asian staff into Mental Health who would look at Counselling, Advocacy,
Interpreter Training and more Bilingual staff.
(Top
of the Page) SOCIAL
EXCLUSION SOUTH
ASDIAN COMMUNITIES CONTINUE TO BE EXCLUDED FROM PARTICIPATING FULLY IN SOCIETY
OR IN RECEIVING OR ACCESSING SERVICES THAT ARE THEORETICALLY AVAILABLE TO ALL. ISSUES: In
response to the social exclusion of South Asian communities in Kirklees most organisations
have responded by developing policies and strategies regarding equality of access
and opportunity. However, there is a 'body of evidence' that either confirms
or suggests that our communities continue to be excluded from participating fully
or in decision making or in receiving or accessing services that are theoretically
available to everyone. Social exclusion can cause deep and long lasting problems
for individual families, the economy, and for society as a whole, children's life
chances are affected by their parents' circumstances, such as their income and
the place they live. Below
is a collated summary of some of the main factors that create or contribute to
the multiple disadvantages of the South Asian communities. These are drawn from
a variety of sources (national and local), which have primarily related to education,
health, employment and housing. The
common belief that South Asian communities 'look after their own' results in a
shortfall of services or inappropriate service provision from mainstream providers.
Lack of baseline information regarding: (i) the needs and issues of the minority
ethnic communities. (ii)
the inequalities in service. (iii)
access to services. To
research, collate and analyse baseline information focusing upon: - The
needs and issues of the BME Communities.
- The
inequalities of Service Provision - cultural and religious issues.
- Inequalities
in access to Services.
- To
produce a Resource and Service Directory (translated in community languages) of
services provided by the Statutory and Voluntary Agencies.
- To
enhance recruitment of South Asian community members by agencies through active
publicity/advertising/in the local ethnic press, shops, community centres, mosques,
gurdwaras, temples etc.
- To
lobby service providers with respect to the cultural and religious needs of the
South Asian Communities, with a view to influencing Service Plans and Strategies.
- To
ensure active representation and engagement from the Consortium members on relevant
decision making structures and processes.
- To
building the Capacity of Consortium members and the BME Communities through relevant
training, conferences and information sharing from time to time.
(Top
of the Page) YOUTH
DISAFFECTION KIRKLEES:
AN OVERVIEW 1.
LOCATION Kirklees is an area of marked urban and rural contrast. It is
bordered by the pennines in the West and the former coalfields of Barnsley and
Wakefield in the East. It takes in the Peak District National Park in the south
and the communities that border Leeds and Bradford in the North. At 40,910 hectares
it is the third largest metropolitan district by geographical area and with a
population of 389,503 inhabitants, the seventh largest in terms of population.
It is the largest metropolitan district not based on a single major city. The
main towns of the district are Huddersfield, Dewsbury and Batley but, despite
its metropolitan status, over two thirds of the area is protected rural landscape.
A number of the towns in the district suffer from urban decay and dereliction
caused by the decline of the traditional manufacturing industries, particularly
textiles. In the most disadvantaged neighbourhoods these problems are compounded
by high levels of unemployment, crime and poor health.
2.
POPULATION
- The
total population from the 2001 census was 389,503 and forecast to rise to 406,800
by 2011 (source: Kirklees ONS).
- The
main centres of population are Huddersfield, Dewsbury (52,595) and Batley (37,715)
and Heckmondwike (17,943) (Source: Kirklees Metro Council Ward Profiles 2004).
- For
the whole of Kirklees ethnic origin includes 6.8% Pakistani (26,536), 4.1% Indian
(15,829) and 0.1% Black African (476) and 1.1% Black Caribbean (4,203) (Source:
ONS Census of Population 2001).
- There
are approx 166,000 households in the district.
- Forecasts
predict that households will rise to over 172,000 by 2006, and to 179,000 by 2011
with the most significant growth in single person households.
3.
LOCAL ECONOMY
- Industry.
Economic prosperity lies in the manufacturing industries with textiles predominant
in the north and engineering and chemical industry around Huddersfield.
- Deprivation.
Three of the wards are amongst the 10% most deprived in the England and Wales
- Deighton, Dewsbury West and Thornhill (Index of Multiple Deprivation 2000).
A further seven wards lie within the 20% most deprived wards in the index.
- Unemployment
for Kirklees in January 2004 (claimant count) was 5,303 (2.2%) (Source: Kirklees
Metro Council area profiles North & South Kirklees 2004).
BATLEY,
DEWSBURY AND HECKMONDWIK - AN OVERVIEW 1.
LOCATION
The
six wards that make up Batley (East and West), Dewsbury (East and West),Thornhill
and Heckmondwike lie within the North Kirklees area on the boundaries with Bradford
and Leeds. 2.
POPULATION The combined population of these six wards is 108,253 (Source
Kirklees Metro Council Ward Profiles 2004).
Ethnic
breakdown: Indian: 15,829 (4.1%) Pakistani: 26,536 (6.8%) Bangladeshi
388 (0.1%) 3.
LOCAL ECONOMY Major employers (excluding Local Authority):
Batley
East Fox's
Biscuits (manufacture of confectionary) 1,340 employees Dewsbury Civil Engineering
(engineering) 1,200 employees Lay-E-Zee Beds (manufacturer of beds) 490 employees Batley
West Mid Yorkshire Healthcare NHS Trust (Health Authority) 2,500 employees Carlinghow
Nursing home 120 employees Dewsbury
East Dewsbury College (FE Institute) 600 employees S. Lyles Son &
Co Ltd (textiles) 300 employees Skopos Designs (manufacturers of textiles)
180 employees Dewsbury
West Williams S Graham Ltd (carpet yarn) 350 employees UPS Haulfast
Ltd (Haulage Contractors) 300 J Sainsbury PLC (supermarket) 260 employees (Dewsbury
West is amongst the 10% most deprived wards in England and Wales). Heckmondwike Birkby
Plastics Ltd (manufacturer of plastic products) 550 employees Rieter Automotive
GB Ltd (manufacturer of carpets) 490 employees Wm Morrisons (Supermarket) 400
employees
Thornhill Carlton
Cards Ltd (Manufacture of Greeting Cards) 1500 employees Arriva Yorkshire (Public
Transport Operators) 375 employees The Stanley Press (Printers) 135 employees Unemployment
for the area in January 2004 (claimant count) was 1,540 with 5 out of the 6 wards
being above the Kirklees average of 2.2%: Batley East 2.4%, Batley West 2.5%,
Dewsbury East 2.8%, Dewsbury West 2.8%,Thornhill 2.3% and Heckmondwike 1.5% (Source:
Kirklees Metro Council Ward Profiles 2004).
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