Poverty twice as high among ethnic minorities

LONDON, Apr 30 (Reuters) Ethnic minorities are twice as likely to be living in poverty than white Britons, with Bangladeshis among the poorest, a survey showed today..

The poverty rate for Britain's minority ethnic groups stands at 40 per cent, double the 20 per cent found among white British people, according to social policy research charity the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.

Bangladeshis form the bulk of the ethnic poor, with 65 percent living below the poverty line, followed by Pakistanis (55 percent), Black Africans (45 per cent), Indians and Black Caribbeans (both 30 percent). Rates of poverty are also higher than average among Chinese.

One of the reasons for poorer living standards is fewer employment opportunities and lower pay, often stemming from discrimination.

Despite holding qualifications, such as degrees, ethnic minorities, particularly Black Africans and Indians, find it more difficult to find work than white Britons.

''This 'ethnic penalty' includes the effects of discrimination,'' said the report compiled by Lucinda Platt at the University of Essex.

Only 20 per cent of Bangladeshis are in full-time work, along with 30 percent of Pakistanis and 40 per cent of Black Africans, compared with more than 50 per cent of white Britons.

Pakistanis and Bangladeshis are also among the worst paid.

These problems are not confined to first generation of immigrants, the report concluded, but include British-born individuals from minority backgrounds.

Julia Unwin, director of the Foundation, said: ''We need an urgent rethink from government and employers so that minority ethnic groups do not miss out on opportunities in the workplace and higher educational attainment is properly recognised.'' The report reviewed 350 surveys on poverty and ethnicity research to reach its conclusion, and defined poverty as a lack of material possessions, such as warm clothing; housing conditions; opportunities for social activity, such as having friends around or anxiety about making ends meet.

REUTERS SS VC1535