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One third of Britons 'admit being racially prejudiced' One third of Britons 'admit being racially prejudiced'
(about 3 hours later)
Nearly a third of people in Britain admit being racially prejudiced, research has suggested.Nearly a third of people in Britain admit being racially prejudiced, research has suggested.
Social research organisation NatCen said the proportion had increased since the start of the century, returning to the level of 30 years ago.Social research organisation NatCen said the proportion had increased since the start of the century, returning to the level of 30 years ago.
Its British Social Attitudes survey found 30% of more than 2,000 people polled described themselves as either "very" or "a little" race prejudiced.Its British Social Attitudes survey found 30% of more than 2,000 people polled described themselves as either "very" or "a little" race prejudiced.
NatCen chief executive Penny Young said the findings were "troubling".NatCen chief executive Penny Young said the findings were "troubling".
The survey revealed that prejudice had risen since an all-time low of 25% of people in 2001.The survey revealed that prejudice had risen since an all-time low of 25% of people in 2001.
It also found wide variations currently across the country: 16% of people in inner London admitted to prejudice but the figure was 35% in the West Midlands.It also found wide variations currently across the country: 16% of people in inner London admitted to prejudice but the figure was 35% in the West Midlands.
Older men in manual jobs were the most likely to say they were prejudiced, but the group recording the biggest rise was educated male professionals.Older men in manual jobs were the most likely to say they were prejudiced, but the group recording the biggest rise was educated male professionals.
Levels of racial prejudice increased with age, at 25% for 17- to 34-year-olds compared with 36% for over-55s.Levels of racial prejudice increased with age, at 25% for 17- to 34-year-olds compared with 36% for over-55s.
Education had an impact with 19% of those with a degree and 38% of those with no qualifications reporting racial prejudice.Education had an impact with 19% of those with a degree and 38% of those with no qualifications reporting racial prejudice.
'National psyche''National psyche'
Ms Young said: "Levels of racial prejudice declined steadily throughout the 90s, but have been on the rise again during the first decade of this century. Ms Young told BBC Radio 4's Today programme self-reported prejudice was "very difficult" to study in detail.
"This bucks the trend of a more socially liberal and tolerant Britain. Our local and national leaders need to understand and respond to increased levels of racial prejudice if we are to build strong local communities." It appeared to be in "inexorable decline" in 2001 as part of "increasingly socially liberal Britain" - but has since gone back up.
The effect of the 9/11 attacks and an increase in concern about immigration were two possible reasons for the turnaround, she said.
The strongest message to politicians from the survey concerned immigration.The strongest message to politicians from the survey concerned immigration.
More than 90% of those who admitted some level of racial prejudice wanted to see a reduction in the number of people entering the UK.More than 90% of those who admitted some level of racial prejudice wanted to see a reduction in the number of people entering the UK.
But so did 73% of those who said they were not racially prejudiced.But so did 73% of those who said they were not racially prejudiced.
Ms Young added: "Levels of racial prejudice declined steadily throughout the 90s, but have been on the rise again during the first decade of this century.
"This bucks the trend of a more socially liberal and tolerant Britain. Our local and national leaders need to understand and respond to increased levels of racial prejudice if we are to build strong local communities."
Alison Park, co-director of the survey, said: "Racial prejudice, in whatever guise, is undoubtedly still part of the national psyche."Alison Park, co-director of the survey, said: "Racial prejudice, in whatever guise, is undoubtedly still part of the national psyche."