Race relations

Our Black and minority ethnic (BME) population is growing rapidly. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates that there were 16,400 people who were not of White British or White Irish descent resident in our city in June 2007. Our BME population has increased four fold since the last Census in 2001. Over 63 first languages are spoken in our schools. We value the contribution to the economic, social and cultural life of our city that such diverse and ethnically dynamic communities bring.

We are determined to exercise the Council’s community leadership role in relation to all our communities regardless of their ethnic or cultural background. This can only be achieved through our on-going work in partnership with the public, private, community and voluntary sectors. We welcome the opportunity to forge new links with ethnic minority communities as we strive to improve service, widen inclusion and eradicate racism in all aspects of our work.

The table below shows the number of people and their ethnic origin as of June 2007.

Ethnic origin	Number of people
Chinese or other ethnic group	3,700
Black or Black British	1,900
Asian or Asian British	2,900
Mixed race	2,700
White other	5,200
White British or White Irish	234,200

Useful organisations

For African communities

• All Nations Ministries
• Betwabu Association, email betwabuassociation@yahoo.co.uk

BME

• Fata He
• Race Equality Council

Chinese

• Devon and Cornwall Chinese Association

Kurdish

• Plymouth Kurdish Community

South Asian

• Devon and Cornwall South Asian Society

We no longer publish a separate Race Equality Scheme however you can see information on our Corporate Equalities Policy page.

For more information about race relations and BME communities in Plymouth please contact us.