This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27599401
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 1 | Version 2 |
---|---|
One third of Britons 'admit being racially prejudiced' | One third of Britons 'admit being racially prejudiced' |
(about 1 hour 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. |
The British Social Attitudes survey found the proportion had increased since the start of the century, returning to the level of 30 years ago. | |
According to the survey, by social research company NatCen, 30% of those polled described themselves as either "very" or "a little" race prejudiced. | |
Penny Young, chief executive of NatCen, said the findings were "troubling". | |
The survey of more than 2,000 people 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. | |
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' |
The social attitudes survey has been carried out every year since 1983. | |
People were asked whether they would describe themselves as prejudiced "against people of other races". | |
Ms Young told BBC Radio 4's Today programme self-reported prejudice was "very difficult" to study in detail. | Ms Young told BBC Radio 4's Today programme self-reported prejudice was "very difficult" to study in detail. |
It appeared to be in "inexorable decline" in 2001 as part of "increasingly socially liberal Britain" - but has since gone back up. | 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 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. | 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." | "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." |