Question to the Department for Education:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to encourage universities to increase the numbers of black staff to reflect the diversity of students.

Higher education (HE) providers are independent and autonomous institutions. The government does not compel participation in equality charters.

However, it is essential that HE providers address disparities in pay or opportunity, where they may be based on race, disability, gender, or other protected characteristics. We want HE providers to address inequality with confidence, using their own judgement to address the real issues which restrict opportunity.

The department expects HE providers, like all employers, to comply with their obligations under the Equality Act 2010 and give due consideration to the way their employment practices affect different people from different communities and at different stages of their careers.