A major survey of Cumbrian attitudes towards race, diversity and neighbourhood has revealed a fascinating range of views on immigration, asylum seekers, disability and belonging.
The Cumbria Attitudes Survey, commissioned jointly by Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Constabulary, investigated residents’ views on ethnic minorities, asylum seekers, lesbians and gay men and disabled people.
The results will be used to help the police, the county council and other agencies improve their services.
Among the findings:
- Nine out of ten people in the county are satisfied with where they live.
- People in the county feel a stronger sense of belonging to the county than to their district.
- Only a minority of Cumbrians feel that there are too many immigrants in Britain.
- Less than one third (27%) of respondents expressed no prejudice towards any minority groups.
- Younger Cumbrians expressed less prejudiced attitudes than older residents.
- Disabled people were slightly more confident than the majority of people that they would generally be treated fairly.
- Members of ethnic minority groups were less confident than the majority of people that they would generally be treated fairly.
- Twelve per cent of respondents expressed prejudice against obese or overweight people.
- Ninety-two per cent acknowledged the existence of prejudice against minority groups.
- Exactly half of the respondents felt that it is a good thing for Britain to be a multi-cultural society.
Mike Ash, deputy leader of Cumbria County Council and the authority’s Equality Champion, said: "Our success as a county of diverse people with a range of characteristics depends on us becoming more knowledgeable about ourselves and other people and being able to share more of our common humanity in order to understand and appreciate our differences. This study shows that we still have a way to go before we can truly claim to be free from prejudice, but we are making progress and there are encouraging signs for the future."
Michael Baxter, Chief Constable of Cumbria, said: "Our vision is for a cohesive and fair society in Cumbria that offers equitable opportunities and where people respect each other. This can only be achieved with effort and commitment. We encourage our partners in the public private and voluntary sectors to join in partnership to make Cumbria a diverse place that celebrates difference and encourages participation."
Both Cumbria County Council and Cumbria Constabulary are involved in various initiatives to promote equality and diversity in the county. These include: the Language Line scheme where a consortium of ten agencies share costs of access to language interpreters; involvement in UNISON’s Show Racism the Red Card initiative; membership of the Cumbria Race and Diversity Partnership: worked together in on Gypsy and Traveller protocols for the county; Cumbria County Council runs the "Ally Comes to Cumbria" programme in schools and close working links with the Cumbria Disability Network.
The full Cumbrian Attitudes Survey can be seen at: http://www.cumbria.gov.uk/diversity/CumbrianAttitudes.asp