The Liberal Democrats have attacked the Government’s strategy to tackle low levels of employment amongst ethnic minority populations, after an influential independent regulator branded ministers’ efforts as ‘fragmented’ and ‘lacking continuity’.

Commenting on today’s National Audit Office report on employment rates of ethnic minorities, Liberal Democrat Shadow Work and Pensions Secretary, Danny Alexander said:

“It is vitally important to help people from ethnic minorities into work in order to tackle child poverty and entrenched deprivation in these communities.

“The Government must explain why it has abandoned relatively successful schemes which have helped thousands back into work.

“It is clear that people from ethnic minorities are eager to work but are not getting the support they need from the failed and centralised schemes which the Government is so wedded to.”