To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 25 May 2006, Official Report, column 2025W, on racial abuse, to what he attributes the increase in complaints of racial abuse since January 2005; what steps have been taken to address this issue; and what meetings have been held with senior civil servants to discuss the rise in complaints of racial abuse. (77432)

The Department re-launched its HR policies in 2005 and this may have led to an increase in staff confidence to report complaints. During this time the Home Office’s five year race and diversity programme introduced a series of activities aimed at tackling inappropriate behaviours in the workplace. This has included a re-launch of mandatory diversity training (which incorporates modules on challenging bullying, harassment and discrimination within the workplace) and the introduction of tests for prejudicial attitudes and behaviours in assessment centres. The Home Office’s five year race and diversity programme was launched in July 2004. The programme is led by a board of senior civil servants drawn from across the Home Office group.