Ethnic workers coalition launched

The NCBLO has members from across the public and private sectors

A body representing ethnic minority staff from the public sector, unions and voluntary groups has been unveiled.

The National Coalition of Black-led Organisations (NCBLO) was launched with support from Home Office minister Fiona McTaggart.

NCBLO chairman Robin Landman said it aimed to promote "joined-up thinking" on race equality matters.

"We are uniquely placed to assist the government in delivering its aims on community cohesion," he said.

The NBCLO's 28 member organisations include ethnic minority staff groups from Civil Service departments, the police, probation and Crown Prosecution services, local authorities and trades unions.

Ethnic minority-led organisations such as the 1990 Trust and Operation Black Vote are also members.

Conference

Mr Landman said the NCBLO was the first organisation of its kind to reach "beyond traditional boundaries".

He told the BBC: "We're working as a coalition, bringing to bear our professional skills and have the experience in our day jobs which allows us to contribute in excess of our demographic representation," he said.

The high number of black men in prison and the over-representation of black people in the mental health system were two priority issues for the new group to tackle, he added.

The NCBLO was launched ahead of its inaugural conference in London in Thursday.

Speakers included health service 'equalities champion' Surinder Sharma, the mayor of London's race advisor Lee Jasper and Peter Herbert, chair of the Society of Black Lawyers.