Ethnic Identity and Inequalities in Britain: The Dynamics of Diversity
Edited by Stephen Jivraj and Ludi Simpson
(Policy Press, £19.99)

THERE’S an enormous amount of hot air, wild assertion and sheer prejudice bandied about in the media about the effect of ethnic minorities and immigration on Britain.

This book attempts to deal with facts rather than speculation by bringing together 15 experts in their fields who each contribute a chapter elaborating on specific areas of social policy and the effect of ethnic diversity.

They pose the question of what “ethnicity” or, more specifically, “ethnic minority’” actually means. An elastic concept, it’s invariably coupled with self-identity but it’s also something that changes over time with mixed marriages and levels of assimilation.

But it is a real social factor that needs addressing constantly if we wish to maintain social cohesion and promote community solidarity.

The book aims to update the evidence of differences between ethnic groups in housing, employment, health, education and where they live by presenting a contemporary picture based on the 2011 census and identifying changing patterns over time.

This it does with admirable clarity, with useful graphs and charts to back up and underline the census findings.

By analysing the data it cuts through the myths and gives us the true facts and figures.

It also aims to provide government and local authorities with the factual information on which they can base appropriate social policies and tools to accommodate ethnic diversity, address problems, plan properly for the future and counter discrimination.

In one contentious area, “immigrants” or incomers are often blamed for taking housing that “should go to white British families.” How far is this assertion true? As the book points out, a lack of affordable housing means that the role of the private rental market is changing.

The council house sell-off under Thatcher and the lack of new housing, combined with a totally unregulated private rental sector, are the chief reasons underlying the present crisis.

Private renting is providing the only viable option for many who cannot afford to buy and cannot access social housing.

In other parts of Europe private renting is the norm for secure, long-term housing.

But in Britain it remains the most precarious and insecure form of tenure and this is what has caused the housing shortage. It has nothing to do with “privileged” minority groups or immigration.

The book does show, though, that Britain’s ethnic make-up is changing quite rapidly. Minority groups are expanding, in the main because immigrants and incomers are made up largely of younger people who will tend to have more children than the ageing indigenous population.

And it is certainly important that central and local government address the issues raised by this changing demographic if we are to avoid increased prejudice, discrimination and conflict.