Government and councils in Northern Ireland questioned on tackling racism and supporting minority ethnic groups
Officials from the Northern Ireland Executive Office will be questioned by the Northern Ireland Affairs Committee on progress on its policies to tackle racism and hate crime, in the fourth hearing of the inquiry into minority ethnic and migrant experiences. It comes after data, published by the PSNI on Thursday, revealed a rise in hate crimes in Northern Ireland, with racism the leading motivation. Previous oral evidence to the Committee highlighted a lack of progress and coordination in the Executive’s approach to tackling inequality.
Likely areas of questioning
MPs will question representatives of NI councils on the local delivery of public services for minority ethnic and migrant people, including the support available for refugees and Travellers. A previous session of the inquiry heard that many in these communities experience poor health and educational outcomes. The session will also consider the lack of representation of minority ethnic and migrant people in elected office and public life in Northern Ireland.