Cameron hails top companies’ moves to tackle bias

DAVID CAMERON hailed the latest stage in the “great fight” against discrimination as employers including HSBC and the BBC introduced measures to curb potential bias against candidates with “ethnic sounding names”.

The Prime Minister said ending discrimination would help make the best use of the talent available in Britain, benefiting companies and the country as he hosted a meeting at Downing Street to discuss the issue.

Number 10 said Deloitte, Virgin Money and KPMG would also begin selecting for interview for graduate and apprentice roles without knowing names.

Mr Cameron thanked the employers for taking action and stressed it was more than just a “symbolic” step as he hosted the event in Number 10.

The civil service – which already employs the practice for around half of jobs – will extend it to all but the highest tier of mandarins, meaning around 99 per cent of positions will be recruited.

It will be made the default for all positions advertised through NHS Jobs and health service apprenticeships delivered through the National Careers Service.

The Local Government Association has committed to encouraging town halls to take it up – as well as applying it to its own recruitment.

Mr Cameron has introduced it for Conservative Party appointments.

The Prime Minister told the gathering of business leaders at Number 10: “I know this is only one issue, it doesn’t solve the problem on its own, but I think it is not just symbolic, I think it makes a real difference. So thank you very much for doing that.”

Mr Cameron, who railed against employment discrimination in his party conference speech, explained why he was maintaining his focus on the issue. To me, why it matters is, obviously, there is a great fight against discrimination which we haven’t completed in our country and we must complete.”