Yorkshire BME groups could close over budget cuts

The dramatic budget cuts imposed by the coalition government across the board could trigger off bigger problems in society. That is the fear of campaigners in Yorkshire, who fear that a number of organisations promoting racial justice and helping vulnerable people in BME communities could be forced to close due to severe cuts in funding.

Organisations such as JUST West Yorkshire, which promotes racial justice, civil liberties and human rights in the North of England, and ANAH Project, which helps victims of domestic violence, are facing difficulties, with the latter not being re-commissioned.

Ratna Lachman, director of JUST, has expressed her concerns that ethnic minority groups were being singled out to save money.

Speaking to Asian Express newspaper, she said,

"From what I have been seeing on the street, BME projects across Yorkshire are being cut disproportionately."

Latest budget figures show that Bradford council has to save around £31 million following a dramatic reduction in grants from central government, a result of the coalition government's drastic response to the economic downturn.

In response to the cuts, an event was organised last month by The Bradford Inquiry Group (BIG), a multi-agency partnership involving a number of groups such as the Advice Network and Training Partnership, Age Concern, Bradford Alliance on Community Care, Bradford Resource Centre, Contact, Equity Partnership, JUST West Yorkshire and Staying Put.

Ratna has urged politicians to tackle the issue of race in an effective way by continue to provide resources for groups promoting equality and helping the vulnerable members of society.

"Rather than shy away from the issue of race, politicians should be bold in ensuring that resources are being targeted at areas of greatest need and stand up for services that affect the most vulnerable in our society, especially as the proposed budget cuts of £31 million is going to remove or reduce essential front-line services."

Image: Focus group run by JUST West Yorkshire