Cash-Strapped Council Sparks Outrage Over £60,000 Anti-Racism Role Amid Service Cuts

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Cash-Strapped Council Sparks Outrage Over £60,000 Anti-Racism Role Amid Service Cuts

 

Norfolk County Council has come under heavy criticism after announcing it is recruiting an anti-racism officer on a salary of up to £60,000 a year, despite recently switching off street lights to save money. Rupert Lowe, the former Reform Party member and now independent MP, condemned the move, arguing that the council was wasting resources on “guff” while essential services were suffering.

 

The council, which faces £45 million worth of cuts and savings to balance its budget, is seeking an “anti-racist practice lead” for its children’s services department. In the job advert posted online, the council stated, “We want to do all we possibly can to ensure that: our front-line practice is culturally competent, curious and does not inadvertently or otherwise introduce prejudice or bias. [And] our global majority staff feel respected, supported and safe from discrimination whether in the workplace or out doing their work in the community.”

 

 

The phrase “global majority” has increasingly been used to refer to non-white people, replacing the traditional BAME (black and minority ethnic) terminology. Kemi Badenoch, a Conservative Party leader, has previously accused organisations of embracing the term at the advice of “anti-white” bodies.

 

The advertised role offers an 18-month fixed-term contract with a salary between £55,147 and £60,676 a year. Mr Lowe, representing Great Yarmouth, did not mince words about the council’s decision, stating, “I am calling on Norfolk County Council to do the right thing, cancel the ludicrous job and pump that money back into the communities in Great Yarmouth that need it.” He also warned against the spread of what he called a “poisonous” ideology within the public sector.

 

Supporters of diversity initiatives argue that such programmes are necessary to address historical under-representation and systemic discrimination against racial minorities. However, critics counter that these efforts can themselves become discriminatory and represent poor spending choices at a time when public services are facing severe financial constraints.

 

Norfolk County Council is attempting to find savings across its services, with £24.5 million in cuts planned for adult social care and £14.6 million for children’s services this year alone. Last year, the council agreed to switch off 1,000 street lights across the county, aiming to both cut carbon emissions and save £200,000 annually.

 

In response to the backlash, a council spokeswoman defended the decision, saying, “We have previously publicly committed to tackling the harm caused by racism, which we know sadly impacts many of the children and families we support and also harms colleagues as they go about their work in communities to keep children safe. We want all our staff to feel respected and supported and ensure children can flourish, whatever their background. This post will ensure we have the skills and capacity to take the necessary action to root out and eliminate racism where it exists.”

 

The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between financial prudence and efforts to address social issues, raising important questions about public spending priorities in times of austerity.

 

  Adpated by ASEAN Now from The Telegraph  2025-04-29

 

 

[Watawattana]

Idiots.  But, I'm sure if the lid is lifted on this idiotic council more 'guff' will be found, whilst tax payers suffer.

[JonnyF]

Would I be correct in assuming that this is another role that White people need not apply for?

[Will B Good]

If we didn't have so many morons in society that are racist, the council could have saved 60k. 

[JonnyF]

12 minutes ago, Will B Good said:

If we didn't have so many morons in society that are racist, the council could have saved 60k. 

 

The demand for racism is vastly outstripping the supply.