Race Equality Scheme
Workforce Equality Monitoring
Reporting Racist Incidents
Racial Harassment Prevention Team
Interpreting and Translation Service
The facts about asylum seekers and refugees
Asylum Seekers Unit
Mela
Beneath the Skin - the future of Race Equality in Tyne and Wear
Race Equality in Tyne and Wear - Options Appraisal and Business Planning
Race Equality in Newcastle - Annual Reports
Members of Black and Minority Ethnic communities, including asylum seekers and refugees, can face disadvantage, discrimination, harassment and violence because of negative beliefs and actions based on race, colour, nationality, national or ethnic origin. This section tells you about some of the work the Council is doing to eliminate discrimination, promote good relations between people of different racial groups and to make sure Council services meet the diverse needs of all residents of Newcastle.
Race Equality Scheme
The Race Equality Scheme explains what the Council is doing to meet its duty to promote race equality. You can download it from the Related Files at the right of this page. The latest copy is the 2008-2009 edition.
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Reporting Racist Incidents
If you, your family of friends are having problems because of your race or skin colour, this is a racist incident. Some types of these incidents, such as verbal abuse and threats are obvious. Other examples, such as damage to your property, bullying or rude gestures are harder to identify.
If you believe you have experienced a racist incident, even if you have no proof, you can report it to ARCH, 24 hours a day.
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The facts about asylum seekers and refugees
There are many misconceptions and myths about asylum seekers which can lead to hostility and prejudice. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions about asylum seekers:
What is an asylum seeker?
An asylum seeker is a person who has applied for permission to stay in this country because they are at risk in their home country. A refugee is someone who has been given permission to stay here. To be accepted as a refugee a person must prove they have a well founded fear of persecution in their home country because of their race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion. Asylum seekers may have left their homeland because of war, persecution or abuse of human rights such as torture. They may have left loved ones behind or seen loved ones tortured or killed.
Where do asylum seekers come from and why do they come to the UK?
The four nationalities with the most applications for asylum in the UK in 2002 were Iraq, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan and Somalia – all places where there has been instability, war, civil unrest, and serious abuse of human rights. People come to Britain for a variety of reasons. One reason is our colonial history – the fact that many countries have an historical link to the U.K. People may come here because they speak English or because they have family in this country and wish to be reunited. Another reason is that the U.K. has a long tradition of providing asylum to those fleeing persecution. Some asylum seekers are brought to the UK by traffickers and have no choice where they end up.
Are asylum seekers 'flooding' the UK?
When compared to other countries, the simple answer is no. Iran, Pakistan, Bosnia and Russia receive the highest numbers of people seeking asylum. In Europe, Ireland, Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Finland, Norway and Denmark all welcome more people seeking asylum per head of population than the UK. The UK accepts 0.9% of the world’s refugees, which is only 3% of Europe’s refugee population. Under the United Nations Convention signed in 1951 the UK has a legal duty to grant asylum to those who meet the criteria.
How many asylum seekers are there in Newcastle?
There are less than 2,500 asylum seekers in Newcastle - that's less than 1% of the city's population. Newcastle City Council has an arrangement with the Government to provide accomodation for asylum seekers. There are also private accomodation providers who between them will accommodate more people than the Council.
What do asylum seekers get?
Since July 2002 asylum seekers coming into Britain are not allowed to work. Income Support is regarded as the minimum required to live on by the Government, but asylum seekers receive the equivalent of just 70% of the basic Income Support rates. The City Council has a contract with central Government through which a basic furniture pack is provided. The furniture remains the property of the Council. The money to pay for this comes from central Government and not Council Tax. Many people seeking asylum have skills which can usefully contribute to the local economy and most, once granted refugee status, will go on to find employment and contribute to the local economy and community.
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Asylum Seekers Unit
The City Council has set up an Asylum Seekers Unit which has a contract with the Government to provide accommodation for asylum seekers. The Unit provides ongoing support for asylum seekers assisting them to access health, education, leisure and other services and ensuring that they are assisted and allowed to take part in community life. The Unit also supports those who are moving on once a decision has been made on their asylum application.
For more information contact:
Asylum Seekers Unit
4 Jesmond Road West
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE2 4PQ
Phone : 0191 211 6702
Fax : 0191 211 6700
E-mail: vin.totton@newcastle.gov.uk
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Mela
The Newcastle Mela is a two day event providing entertainment for all the family. The programme includes a blend of popular Asian art forms encompassing art, drama and a varied range of musical styles including Punjabi, Pakistani, Bengali and Hindi.
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Beneath the Skin
The five Tyne and Wear local authorities commissioned Newcastle University to carry out a piece of research on race equality. The research specifically looked at whether setting up a new Race Equality Council, or similar body, would help us to promote equality and good relations between different communties.
Read the full research report (pdf, 4.6Mb)
Read the executive summary (pdf, 256Kb)
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Race Equality in Tyne and Wear - Options Appraisal and Business Planning
This report details the findings of an options assessment on the potential for a new race equality body in Tyne and Wear. View the report (pdf, 1.1Mb )
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Race Equality in Newcastle - Annual Reports
Race Equality in Newcastle - Annual Report 2005-2006 (pdf 308Kb)
Race Equality in Newcastle - Annual Report 2006-2007 (pdf, 228Kb)