Top firms sign up to ‘name-blinding’ plan

DAVID CAMERON will promise to end “disgraceful” discrimination in the workplace by signing up a group of top employers to name-blind applications for graduates today.

Young people leaving university and applying for positions in companies including the NHS, HSBC, Deloitte, the BBC and the civil service will have their names hidden on their application to prevent discrimination and stereotyping.

The change comes after the Prime Minister highlighted the issue during his conference speech last month.

During the keynote address in Manchester, he said: “Do you know that in our country today, even if they have exactly the same qualifications, people with white-sounding names are nearly twice as likely to get callbacks for jobs than people with ethnic-sounding names?

“One young black girl had to change her name to Elizabeth before she got any calls to interviews. That, in 21stcentury Britain, is disgraceful.”

Announcing the changes today, which will also apply to those applying for apprenticeships, the Prime Minister will say it is time to “end discrimination and finish the fight for real equality”.

Organisations that have already signed up employ almost two million people in the UK, Mr Cameron has said, as he called for other businesses and public sector groups to follow suit.

Teach First, Virgin Money, KPMG, Learndirect and local government employers have all agreed not to include names of applicants on CVs during the job-screening process.

The government hopes the change will prevent discrimination against those with ethnic or unusual names.

Mr Cameron will say: “I said in my conference speech that I want us to end discrimination and finish the fight for real equality in our country today.

“Today we are delivering on that commitment and extending opportunity to all.

“If you’ve got the grades, the skills and the determination this Government will ensure that you can succeed.”

The civil service has also announced it will extend name-blind recruitment to all posts up to senior level.