Proposal to recognise Sikh and Jewish ethnicity in council data
Birmingham could soon recognise Sikh and Jewish ethnicity in council data as part of a groundbreaking move to ‘tackle inequalities’.
The city council said Birmingham’s estimated 2,000-strong Jewish community and over 30,000 Sikh residents made an “enormous contribution” to Brum’s culture, diversity and prosperity.
But its current demographics questionnaire does not include specific ‘Sikh’ and ‘Jewish’ categories as options for a person’s ethnic group.
The Labour group, which runs the council, has tabled a motion which would change the way the authority collects data in the future.
If it’s passed at a full council meeting tomorrow, June 17, ‘Jewish’ and ‘Sikh’ categories would be routinely included as options for a person’s ethnic group.
Birmingham Labour said the historic move would help the council understand its communities better and tackle discrimination.
It said that while Sikhs and Jews had been legally recognised as ethnic groups for more than 40 years, they were largely absent from ethnicity data as it was not routinely collected by public bodies.
As the Office for National Statistics advises public bodies to only use existing ethnic categories in order to deliver public services, the Labour group argued Jewish and Sikh people were “rendered invisible” to policymakers.
If the motion passes, it would make Birmingham City Council the first local authority in England to change the way that it collects ethnicity data.
Coun Jamie Tennant, the council’s cabinet member for social justice, community safety and equalities, tabled the motion. He said it would mean the authority could more comprehensively collect data on the city’s Jewish and Sikh residents.
He said it would help tackle inequalities and discrimination, promote equality, equitably deliver public services and allocate resources fairly.
“I am proud Birmingham Labour is leading the country in making this change,” he said. “I will be lobbying my colleagues in authorities across the region and country to take similar action so we can properly represent all our citizens.”
The motion has the backing of Edgbaston MP Preet Gill, who previously raised the issue at Parliament.
“For local government to deliver for its citizens, it must have an accurate picture of the people it serves,” she said. “Sikhs and Jews have been legally recognised as ethnic groups for over 40 years.
“It is absurd that most public bodies don’t include these groups in the equalities data they collect.
“I am delighted Birmingham City Council is taking action to put this right.”
‘Jewish and Sikh communities have struggled’
Groups representing Jewish and Sikh communitiesalso welcomed the motion ahead of the meeting.
Danny Stone MBE, chief executive of the Antisemitism Policy Trust, said: “Tackling racism, discrimination and inequality is more difficult when one cannot find the necessary data to support targeted action.
“For too long, the Jewish and Sikh communities have struggled to ensure they are properly identified in official records, leading to failures to adequately address the harms both groups face.”
“I am delighted Birmingham Council is debating this important matter,” he added.
Dabinderjit Singh OBE, the lead executive for political engagement at the Sikh Federation (UK), said Birmingham City Council should be congratulated.
“It has shown leadership to demonstrate to other public bodies that it is important to collect data on Sikhs and Jews under ethnicity to address discrimination or inequalities that may exist,” he went on to say.
The motion is set to be considered at a meeting of the city council on Tuesday, June 17.
