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Equality group’s cash cuts shock

5:23pm Tuesday 20th May 2008

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By Nicola Fifield »

A VITAL service promoting racial equality in York has been forced to slash its services by half after the Government withdrew £30,000 of funding.

Dozens of York residents from different ethnic backgrounds descended on the headquarters of York Racial Equality Network (YREN) to vent their anger during the visit of an opposition MP.

Lynne Featherstone, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Minister for Youth and Equality, dropped by at the support centre in Priory Street during her visit to York on Friday.

She voiced horror that the Government-backed Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) had turned down the York network's bid for funding this year and pledged to take up the issue with the commission's chairman, Trevor Phillips.

She said: "While it would be true to say that York is not the diversity capital of this country, there is a growing number of black and ethnic minority residents.

"Add in an influx of Eastern Europeans, and the issues of pressures on public services, social cohesion and the rest are just beginning to arise.

"Better to tackle these in proper and timely fashion than wait until real problems hit us. Ironically, places like York need the service even more than the metropolitan areas, because in the big cities they already have a well-developed support network in place."

YREN offers practical help, advocacy and emotional support for victims of racial harassment, victimisation, discrimination and isolation.

In the past, more than half of its work has been funded by the Commission for Racial Equality.

But in October 2007, the commission merged with two other bodies to form the EHRC, and this year the York network failed to win funding.

Director Rita Sanderson said: "Last year we were given £30,000, but this year our bid of £40,000 was unsuccessful.

"We are really disappointed, because we were assured that the amalgamation wouldn't make a difference to funding.

"Unless we get additional funding, our work this year is going to be extremely limited. The work we do is fundamental for community cohesion and we are determined to make it continue."

She said the network still had the backing of City of York Council and other partnership organisations, and was drawing up a fundraising plan.

Mrs Featherstone said: "YREN is the only organisation doing the work that is needed in this area.

"If the commission is not minded to reverse its decision, then I'd very much like to know how it expects the work to support individuals experiencing racial harassment, victimisation and discrimination to continue."

If any individuals or businesses would like to make a donation to help the work of YREN continue, phone 01904 642600.


Your Say YourPress

Mr_Soul, says...
5:30pm Tue 20 May 08

There's nothing vital about it all.

Well done for not wasting money on pointless PC rubbish!

my opinion, york says...
7:09pm Tue 20 May 08

agreed

Cruddass is a muppett, says...
7:28pm Tue 20 May 08

I can understand the need for this in say Leeds or manchester where there are massive ethnic groups. But not in York. Racism issues are few and far between.

only human, huntington says...
8:44pm Tue 20 May 08

I agree with the lib dems comments above and thats a rarity.
Having just had the police to my home taking a statement from my 13 year old daughter over rascist abuse and and race hate fuelled violence from a fellow school mate,i regret to inform the people of York that ignorance and bigotry is alive and kicking as we speak.
We do need to educate people on the diversities of the human race and the priviledges of living in a free society.
However we need to ensure that newcomers to the UK especially in less diverse places such as York have the basic integrating skills to enable them to blend in more effectively.
No child should have to justify their presence at school or in the wider community.
Ignorance begins in the home.Educate the parents and the
children will follow.
The biggots behind the girl abusing my daughter are no doubt a drain on the country ,unemployable,into drugs,crime and with no morals.
What chance is there for the kids.
They should be taken off them and given to reponsible parents whilst still young.
Then we wouldnt need any groups needing money.


Tom2, York says...
9:30pm Tue 20 May 08

What a shame. I would guess just over half of people in York are racist, which is nicely illustrated by the comments above.

Taken for a Mug, To the right of centre says...
9:51pm Tue 20 May 08

Tom2 wrote:
What a shame. I would guess just over half of people in York are racist, which is nicely illustrated by the comments above.
What a really silly comment, people are entitled to their opinions wether you like it or not, please place the race card back in your pocket.

Tom2, York says...
10:06pm Tue 20 May 08

Taken for a Mug wrote:
Tom2 wrote: What a shame. I would guess just over half of people in York are racist, which is nicely illustrated by the comments above.
What a really silly comment, people are entitled to their opinions wether you like it or not, please place the race card back in your pocket.
Race card? Don't follow - and no problem with opinion either (unlike you it seems). That is my genuine expeience of levels of racism/tollerance in York. And 3 of the 5 comments above show that. Maybe you need a better command of English?

my opinion, york says...
10:26pm Tue 20 May 08

only human wrote:
I agree with the lib dems comments above and thats a rarity. Having just had the police to my home taking a statement from my 13 year old daughter over rascist abuse and and race hate fuelled violence from a fellow school mate,i regret to inform the people of York that ignorance and bigotry is alive and kicking as we speak. We do need to educate people on the diversities of the human race and the priviledges of living in a free society. However we need to ensure that newcomers to the UK especially in less diverse places such as York have the basic integrating skills to enable them to blend in more effectively. No child should have to justify their presence at school or in the wider community. Ignorance begins in the home.Educate the parents and the children will follow. The biggots behind the girl abusing my daughter are no doubt a drain on the country ,unemployable,into drugs,crime and with no morals. What chance is there for the kids. They should be taken off them and given to reponsible parents whilst still young. Then we wouldnt need any groups needing money.
sorry im no racist, but kids call each other names,they go for whatever they can, if she had goofy teeth theyd go for that instead, its called bullying.happens to us all at some time or other.

I am white,it just happens to be the colour of my skin,im not proud or otherwise ,I am just me,I was born this way. get over it and rise above it, if there morons ignore them.






Silver, York says...
11:01pm Tue 20 May 08

I was raised in a completely white environment I only ever saw Ethnic diversity in capital cities. I never descended to rascism whilst a lot of my ignorant school colleagues did where they saw wrong I saw different. £60k for ethnic diversity in York is a small price to pay and I do feel that this is a cheap deal. To cut it in half is wrong. If only we could just not bother about who is from where and just see what actually is important...

Tram114, Yorkshire says...
11:27pm Tue 20 May 08

What do they actually do with all that money?
I'm being serious. What is it spent on?

Acko, Heworth says...
11:41pm Tue 20 May 08

This 'vital service' should be closed down, in fact, it should never have been set up, what a complete waste of tax-payers money

bobby_spray, york says...
9:36am Wed 21 May 08

Trevor Phillips is a big fan of inclusiveness not diversity. Maybe he considered the projects that they were proposing to fund not to fall into that inclusiveness bracket.

Having lived and been brought up in a multicultural hellhole, that fact that York is not diverse was one of the reasons that I like living here…. There I said it.

Jef, Yorkshire says...
10:43am Wed 21 May 08

bobby_spray wrote:
Trevor Phillips is a big fan of inclusiveness not diversity. Maybe he considered the projects that they were proposing to fund not to fall into that inclusiveness bracket. Having lived and been brought up in a multicultural hellhole, that fact that York is not diverse was one of the reasons that I like living here…. There I said it.
Why was it a 'hell hole' out of interest?

bobby_spray, york says...
10:54am Wed 21 May 08

Poverty was the root cause. When people who have little watch it being taken from them they will resist. E.g. access to council housing. A feud mentality develops, then a gang culture then no go areas etc….

Jef, Yorkshire says...
11:18am Wed 21 May 08

bobby_spray wrote:
Poverty was the root cause. When people who have little watch it being taken from them they will resist. E.g. access to council housing. A feud mentality develops, then a gang culture then no go areas etc….
Perhaps people shouldn't feel that they are entitled to certain things such as council housing over others simply because of their colour/ ethnicity.

I lived in a multicultural community and loved being able to experience different cultures. Even in all white communities there are no go areas. Its not colour/ ethnicity that causes problems. Its ignorance and stupidity.

tonesview, york says...
1:06pm Wed 21 May 08

Is it cos ize black ? (Qote Ali G )
Lighten up guys . Humour is the answer ,not cash. Love thy neighbour tv programme ,great example.

bobby_spray, york says...
1:42pm Wed 21 May 08

Perhaps people shouldn't feel that they are entitled to certain things such as council housing over others simply because of their colour/ ethnicity.


they don't! but if they have lived in the neighbourhood for several generations and all the houses are given to ‘incomers’ of whatever colour, then I’d be annoyed in their shoes.

see sense, york says...
1:43pm Wed 21 May 08

In my humble opinion (having gone to a very mixed race school) too many incidents between kids are jumped on now as being racist. when it is either plain ignorance, plain bullying or kids having fun.

As somebody above points out - people pick on the obvious things - ginger hair for example. Why is it worse to call some body a "black so and so" than a ginger one ?

I also believe that many equality policies such as positive discrimination don't do ethnic groups any favours and actually generate bad feeling where non would exist otherwise.

Re Miss Amelia Rate and her Spain/france argument.

there is a difference between teh holiday brit therefor 2 weeks and actually living there.

If you went to live in France for example, and sent your kids to school there, they would expect you to learn French and there would be very little help for your children in the classroom.

Our problem in this country is we pander to newcomers and alienate the existing (and that includes 3rd generation imigrants).

Jef, Yorkshire says...
1:46pm Wed 21 May 08

bobby_spray wrote:
Perhaps people shouldn't feel that they are entitled to certain things such as council housing over others simply because of their colour/ ethnicity.
they don't! but if they have lived in the neighbourhood for several generations and all the houses are given to ‘incomers’ of whatever colour, then I’d be annoyed in their shoes.
Surely if they have lived there that long they have some kind of housing. People don't need to move out of their parents homes when they get to a certain age. I certainly didn't until I could afford to do so.

And people being given housing will be assessed and those with greatest need will get priority.

Jef, Yorkshire says...
1:49pm Wed 21 May 08

see sense wrote:
In my humble opinion (having gone to a very mixed race school) too many incidents between kids are jumped on now as being racist. when it is either plain ignorance, plain bullying or kids having fun. As somebody above points out - people pick on the obvious things - ginger hair for example. Why is it worse to call some body a "black so and so" than a ginger one ? I also believe that many equality policies such as positive discrimination don't do ethnic groups any favours and actually generate bad feeling where non would exist otherwise. Re Miss Amelia Rate and her Spain/france argument. there is a difference between teh holiday brit therefor 2 weeks and actually living there. If you went to live in France for example, and sent your kids to school there, they would expect you to learn French and there would be very little help for your children in the classroom. Our problem in this country is we pander to newcomers and alienate the existing (and that includes 3rd generation imigrants).
Many brits living in spain and France do not speak French or Spanish. They live in expat communities and are often there for the weather.

Stephen, York says...
1:52pm Wed 21 May 08

Wednesday 21 May 2008 13:16
Communities and Local Government (National)

Additional Government funding and recognition for the third sector working to improve race equality and cohesion


Community organisations committed to supporting and improving community relations and race equality will gain access to a new funding pot of up to £660,000 with the announcement today of the successful recipients of the third round of the Connecting Communities Plus Community Grants.

The grants are the latest instalment of an £18 million funding programme for Third Sector groups operating at local, regional and national levels which has to date already supported 330 groups.

Many of these organisations will today be attending a major national conference to showcase their work and engage with the Communities Secretary Hazel Blears and Third Sector Minister Phil Hope.

The conference has three main objectives:

* Providing the BME third sector with an understanding of the Government agenda and vision on equalities and the third sector,
* Building the longer-term sustainability of the BME third sector, and
* Showcasing good practice, celebrating success, learning what works, and facilitating networking

bobby_spray, york says...
2:06pm Wed 21 May 08

Surely if they have lived there that long they have some kind of housing. People don't need to move out of their parents homes when they get to a certain age. I certainly didn't until I could afford to do so.


So if people get married, they are expected to stay with their parents in perpetuity?


And people being given housing will be assessed and those with greatest need will get priority.


Which is the crux of the matter. I think that time on the waiting list should count for more than it does it present.

Jef, Yorkshire says...
2:30pm Wed 21 May 08

bobby_spray wrote:
Surely if they have lived there that long they have some kind of housing. People don't need to move out of their parents homes when they get to a certain age. I certainly didn't until I could afford to do so.
So if people get married, they are expected to stay with their parents in perpetuity?
And people being given housing will be assessed and those with greatest need will get priority.
Which is the crux of the matter. I think that time on the waiting list should count for more than it does it present.
It all depends on people's needs. If there is a family with young children who have just been granted asylum in the UK and have NOWHERE to live should a couple who have just got married be given housing over them simply because their families have lived in the area for generations. At least they would have somewhere alternative to live although it may not be ideal. Time spent on the list should not outweigh factors such as whether people would have suitable alternative accomodation, whether they have young children etc.

YorkIbiza, York says...
2:47pm Wed 21 May 08

Of course it should, people are having kids plainly just so they can get council housing. First come first served basis is the way forward.

There is another answer to all this. STOP MASS IMMIGRATION!

Jef, Yorkshire says...
3:11pm Wed 21 May 08

YorkIbiza wrote:
Of course it should, people are having kids plainly just so they can get council housing. First come first served basis is the way forward. There is another answer to all this. STOP MASS IMMIGRATION!
Thats a bit simplistic. Someone may need housing more than someone who has been on the list for a while.

Immigrants and Asylum seekers are not necessarily the same thing.

only human, says...
3:52pm Wed 21 May 08

Talk about nail in the coffin.
Some of the comments above prove the point i made excellently.
Well done,ignorance and bigotry is alive and kicking in beautiful York,my home town,the place i was born.
Talk about jumping to conclusions.
My daughter was born and bred in York too,as were generations of our family.
If its origins and roots we are talking here then 99% of people who assume anyone with a different colour skin are the "ones who need to go back to their own country"should delve into the archives and uproot their own geneology.
I guarantee they will not be who they think they are.
People in this green and pleasant land need to take responsibility for themselves and their own actions and that of their offpring.
The welfare state was introduced as a safety net for those in need,not as a lifestyle choice for social innadequates and dropouts.
Racism is another word for Ignorance,bigotry & envy.
People mostly only pick on someone who they feel are superior to themselves for whatever reason.
I should know,i grew up on a scumbag council estate and have had to graft all hours to gain a better quality of life for myself and my kids.
Some of you should try it.
I feel sick when i drive through the streets i grew up in and see people i went to school with.
Many of their offspring are responsible for todays crime in York and now the next generation is following on.
You can either break the mould or follow the pattern of failed parenting.
My daughter may have a different colour skin to mine but she is a credit to us and we are proud to be her parents.
We love all our kids because of who they are not despite of what they have done.
How many of you out there can truly say that.

Miss Amelia Rate, YORK says...
3:54pm Wed 21 May 08

"It all depends on people's needs. If there is a family with young children who have just been granted asylum in the UK and have NOWHERE to live should a couple who have just got married be given housing over them simply because their families have lived in the area for generations"

Yes they should, IMO, we should help people who are genuine asylum seekers and have nowhere else to go but not at the expense of people who have lived here and paid taxes for years. They could live in hostels until they get jobs, get on their feet and can afford to rent/go on the housing list and wait like anyone else.

Miss Amelia Rate, YORK says...
3:54pm Wed 21 May 08

"It all depends on people's needs. If there is a family with young children who have just been granted asylum in the UK and have NOWHERE to live should a couple who have just got married be given housing over them simply because their families have lived in the area for generations"

Yes they should, IMO, we should help people who are genuine asylum seekers and have nowhere else to go but not at the expense of people who have lived here and paid taxes for years. They could live in hostels until they get jobs, get on their feet and can afford to rent/go on the housing list and wait like anyone else.

The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
4:03pm Wed 21 May 08

amelia ray do you feel that if we moved to spain or france without being able to speak a word that they would give us a house? Or a job? It simply doesn’t happen. As for the whole why don’t we all get along idea. That’s fair enough but what everyone has to realise is that the country is in a right state. Everything we buy is taxed to death to accommodate our governments generosity. We are the only country that looks after anyone. And don’t take this the wrong way but the people who originate from this country pay for it.. I pay more tax year after year petrol and cig prices go up to ridicules prices. I find it hard to believe people discussing this don’t have any idea of what other countries and cultures see this country as. We are the scum of the world now and seen as a easy ride. The country is over populated and to be honest is and looks like a dump. Why do we want more council houses? They are an eye sore. The fact that my bogs at work are never clean and the office is poorly maintained might have something to do with the fact that the head of facilities does not have one English speaking person to communicate to…. But hey we should all just accept cheap workers coming in and running the economy and give them a house!

The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
4:05pm Wed 21 May 08

amelia ray do you feel that if we moved to spain or france without being able to speak a word that they would give us a house? Or a job? It simply doesn’t happen. As for the whole why don’t we all get along idea. That’s fair enough but what everyone has to realise is that the country is in a right state. Everything we buy is taxed to death to accommodate our governments generosity. We are the only country that looks after anyone. And don’t take this the wrong way but the people who originate from this country pay for it.. I pay more tax year after year petrol and cig prices go up to ridicules prices. I find it hard to believe people discussing this don’t have any idea of what other countries and cultures see this country as. We are the scum of the world now and seen as a easy ride. The country is over populated and to be honest is and looks like a dump. Why do we want more council houses? They are an eye sore. The fact that my bogs at work are never clean and the office is poorly maintained might have something to do with the fact that the head of facilities does not have one English speaking person to communicate to…. But hey we should all just accept cheap workers coming in and running the economy and give them a house!

The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
4:10pm Wed 21 May 08

amelia ray(or whatever her name is) do you feel that if we moved to spain or france without being able to speak a word that they would give us a house? Or a job? It simply doesn’t happen. As for the whole why don’t we all get along idea. That’s fair enough but what everyone has to realise is that the country is in a right state. Everything we buy is taxed to death to accommodate our governments generosity. We are the only country that looks after anyone. And don’t take this the wrong way but the people who originate from this country pay for it.. I pay more tax year after year petrol and cig prices go up to ridicules prices. I find it hard to believe people discussing this don’t have any idea of what other countries and cultures see this country as. We are the scum of the world now and seen as a easy ride. The country is over populated and to be honest is and looks like a dump. Why do we want more council houses? They are an eye sore. The fact that my bogs at work are never clean and the office is poorly maintained might have something to do with the fact that the head of facilities does not have one English speaking person to communicate to…. But hey we should all just accept cheap workers coming in and running the economy and give them a house!

The Crack Fox, Coming at you, like a razor says...
4:11pm Wed 21 May 08

amelia ray(or whatever her name is) do you feel that if we moved to spain or france without being able to speak a word that they would give us a house? Or a job? It simply doesn’t happen. As for the whole why don’t we all get along idea. That’s fair enough but what everyone has to realise is that the country is in a right state. Everything we buy is taxed to death to accommodate our governments generosity. We are the only country that looks after anyone. And don’t take this the wrong way but the people who originate from this country pay for it.. I pay more tax year after year petrol and cig prices go up to ridicules prices. I find it hard to believe people discussing this don’t have any idea of what other countries and cultures see this country as. We are the scum of the world now and seen as a easy ride. The country is over populated and to be honest is and looks like a dump. Why do we want more council houses? They are an eye sore. The fact that my bogs at work are never clean and the office is poorly maintained might have something to do with the fact that the head of facilities does not have one English speaking person to communicate to…. But hey we should all just accept cheap workers coming in and running the economy and give them a house!

Jef, Yorkshire says...
4:19pm Wed 21 May 08

The Crack Fox wrote:
amelia ray do you feel that if we moved to spain or france without being able to speak a word that they would give us a house? Or a job? It simply doesn’t happen. As for the whole why don’t we all get along idea. That’s fair enough but what everyone has to realise is that the country is in a right state. Everything we buy is taxed to death to accommodate our governments generosity. We are the only country that looks after anyone. And don’t take this the wrong way but the people who originate from this country pay for it.. I pay more tax year after year petrol and cig prices go up to ridicules prices. I find it hard to believe people discussing this don’t have any idea of what other countries and cultures see this country as. We are the scum of the world now and seen as a easy ride. The country is over populated and to be honest is and looks like a dump. Why do we want more council houses? They are an eye sore. The fact that my bogs at work are never clean and the office is poorly maintained might have something to do with the fact that the head of facilities does not have one English speaking person to communicate to…. But hey we should all just accept cheap workers coming in and running the economy and give them a house!
Your English isn't all that either!

CHRIS YORK BORN&BRED, YORK says...
9:26am Thu 22 May 08

When in York Do as the locals do & there will be no problem.
Make friends not enemys & Learn to live alongside not outside the people of York & you will be accepted, it is that easy.!!!!

CHRIS YORK BORN&BRED, YORK says...
9:28am Thu 22 May 08

The above will cost Nothing.!!!!

Jef, Yorkshire says...
9:58am Thu 22 May 08

CHRIS YORK BORN&BRED wrote:
The above will cost Nothing.!!!!
Its a nice idea and in many cases can work but what about racism and discrimination? It DOES exist and there is no point pretending it doesn't.

bobby_spray, york says...
12:01pm Thu 22 May 08

Its a nice idea and in many cases can work but what about racism and discrimination? It DOES exist and there is no point pretending it doesn't.


There are very few non whites in York so there will be less discrimination... There something we can all be proud of! If you hate York so much, go live in Bradford.

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