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Bodies credited in UK race review distance themselves from findings

Many of the 20 or more organisations and individuals allege commission ignored their testimonies
At least 20 organisations and individuals who were listed as stakeholders in the government’s race disparity commission have distanced themselves from the report and its findings.
The report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, released at the end of March, concluded that while racism and racial injustice still exist, geography, family influence, socioeconomic background, culture and religion all have a greater impact on life chances.
It was widely condemned by MPs, unions and equality campaigners as “divisive” and a missed opportunity for systematic change.
The 258-page report notes that the commission heard evidence from a number of organisations and individuals during the course of its work and it thanked them for their participation in an appendix.
But at least 20 of the organisations and individuals listed have distanced themselves from the report, many of them alleging the commission ignored their testimonies in its considerations.
A spokesperson for the commission said: “The commission has examined the evidence and data to come up with solutions that are based on the facts. The commission engaged both directly and indirectly with thousands of researchers, analysts, stakeholders and members of the public to inform this comprehensive report. We have thanked them as a courtesy.”
Those who have distanced themselves from the report include:
NHS trusts, professional bodies and frontline workers
The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin signed an open letter saying healthcare professionals were “dismayed” by the report, which it said used “inflammatory” language.
The British Medical Association rejected the central argument in the report that structural race inequality is not a major factor affecting the outcomes and life chances of many citizens.
Police forces, federations and frontline officers
The National Black Police Association accused the commission of constructing “a politicised and deliberate narrative aimed at undermining lived experiences, racial equality thought and racial equality movements.”
Charities, not-for-profit organisations
Race Council Cymru and National BAME Youth Forum Wales said they were “appalled” to see themselves referenced in the report as stakeholders.
UK Youth said the “report has missed a powerful opportunity to acknowledge and reflect the very tangible lived experiences of so many young people across the country”.
Youth Futures Foundation said: “Culture and the role of family alone cannot explain the existence of these disparities.”
Academics and individuals
Stephen Bourne, a historian on black British history, said he was horrified to see his name listed and was unaware that a meeting he attended during Black History Month had anything to do with the report.
Rose Hudson-Wilkin, the bishop of Dover, told the Church Times that the report’s conclusions were “deeply disturbing”.
SI Martin, a black history specialist, said he was concerned that his name was “attached to such a shameful document and used in such a way as veneer to give some sort of respectability to the report”. A spokesperson for the commission said last week that the addition of his name was a mistake and it would be removed.
Simon Woolley, who was head of No 10’s race disparity unit until last summer, has criticised the commission for disrespecting and disregarding people’s lived experiences.
Private sector
Applied, a recruitment platform, said that while there was some interesting insights in the report, the conclusion that the system is not rigged against ethnic minorities is not supported by the data. “The overall conclusions from the report seem wide off the mark,” CEO Khyati Sundaram said.
Black Young Professionals Network said: “Considering
Green Park recruitment said several senior associates were interviewed for the report but felt that their testimonies were lost. Jo Heath, the head of diversity, inclusion, culture and ethics practice, wrote: “I cannot help but feel personally disappointed and saddened for the many people within my family, friendship and professional circles.”
Leads of current and previously commissioned government reviews
The Labour MP David Lammy accused the prime minister of “standing in the way” of young people who want to end racial inequality.
Prof Sir Michael Marmot said he was puzzled why the commissioners had not quoted later research he had carried out, and criticised the report for underplaying the role of structural racism in societal factors that affect health, such as deprivation, occupation and housing.
Sir Simon Wessely, the chair of the government-commissioned independent review of the Mental Health Act, said he was in agreement with a statement released by the Royal College of Psychiatrists that described the report as “another wasted opportunity”.
Academic institutions and bodies and schools
The Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE) said in a statement it was “dismayed” by the report. “It is deeply disappointing that the report failed to take notice of the compelling evidence that racial disparities in health, and particularly in mental health, are driven in large part by social factors which are structurally determined.”
The British Youth Council was surprised to learn it had been listed as a stakeholder. Osaro Otobo, the deputy chair of the British Youth Council, said: “Many of the assertions made within the report … fly in the face of the well-documented experiences of people of colour across the country.”
The King’s Fund thinktank clarified that it was never tasked to produce research specifically for the commission. Richard Murray, the chief executive, said: “While it is important to not generalise about the cause of health inequalities among black and ethnic minority people, the importance of structural racism must not be downplayed.”
Members of parliament
Marsha de Cordova, the shadow minister for women and equalities, said: “To downplay institutional racism in a pandemic where black, Asian and ethnic minority people have died disproportionately and are now twice as likely to be unemployed is an insult.”
source: Aamna Mohdin
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During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).
Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.
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