Unlocking the potential of the

Case study: NWDA BME population

The Black Minority Ethnic (BME) population in the

Northwest remains under-skilled and under-employed. To
help understand and address the reasons why, Experian
and Inclusion provided policymakers with a detailed
understanding of the ‘big issues’ for the BME population,
and where there is scope for them to engage most
effectively with education, employment and business,
particularly important given the current financial climate.

Challenge
The Northwest is becoming more
diverse and its BME population
is growing quickly. Increasing the
employment rate – in particular among
Black and Minority Ethnic (BME)
people whose employment rates
are lower – could be instrumental in
closing the gap between GVA per
head in the region compared with
England as a whole.
Experian estimates that increasing
participation rates and earnings of
the BME population to the levels seen
elsewhere in England could add £5.8bn
to the Northwest economy by 2032.
In light of this agenda the NWDA
sought to examine the reasons why the
trends that exist in the labour market
characteristics of the BME population
persist (both within and between BME
groups).
Solution
Having conducted a major study for the
NWDA on Demography, Migration and
Diversity, Experian was able to quickly
update the evidence base to reflect the
changes seen since its publication.
A wide variety of data sources
were drawn upon, both official and
proprietary, including Experian’s
Mosaic Origins, which uses peoples’
given names and family names to
attribute them to an ethnic or religious
background to understand the issues at
a very localised level.
A number of qualitative techniques were
employed alongside the data analysis
to ensure that the ‘voices’ of the BME
population were truly heard.The Centre
for Economic and Social Inclusion
(Inclusion) led focus groups with BME
entrepreneurs and with students within
the region. A stakeholder workshop was
also held to obtain the valuable input of
key policymakers and interested parties.
The findings have been structured
around the client journey, focusing on
three broad areas of concern – young
people, participation in employment and
BME businesses. For each, we identified
the evidence and barriers, discussed the
current policy response and assessed
how it can be enhanced.
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Results
Experian’s economic policy and skills
expertise, combined with Inclusion’s
in-depth understanding of the social
inclusion agenda, has provided both
the data needed to deliver the NWDA’s
objectives, and insight into the BME
agenda.This research has been used by
a range of organisations and recently
showcased at the NorthWest Employers
(NWEO) conference on the ethnic
minority employment challenge, in
March 2010.
“The Experian and Inclusion team has identified
reasons why the Northwest’s BME population is
underskilled, and how policy can turn this around. The
combination of primary data and understanding of the
The study raised a number of key points:
• It identified the untapped potential
that lies within the Northwest’s
BME population particularly in
terms of setting up and maintaining
businesses and this should be
capitalised on further
• The importance of promoting
better access to, and tailoring of,
the support that already exists.
Particularly focusing upon the
support that can be provided by
third sector organisations, to help
boost participation in education and
employment
• The real value of detailed research
to enable policymakers and wider
organisations to understand their
local area and to identify hotspots,
enabling them to make informed
decisions about service provision

social inclusion agenda has resulted in a report and Ultimately this research has highlighted
the stark differences within and between
recommendations that are credible and insightful.” BME groups, and in different locations,
providing a robust evidence base. It is
timely given the transition to the period
Evelyn Asante-Mensah of fiscal austerity in which it will be more
important than ever to assess where the
Head of Equality & Economic Inclusion greatest pinch-points lie and where the
public sector can add the greatest value.
NorthWest Development Agency

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