Racial inequality 'alive and kicking' in Britain

Racial inequality remains rife in Britain despite progress, and segregation and extremism are growing, an independent race relations body said yesterday.

The Commission for Racial Equality (CRE), in its last report before it is disbanded after 30 years of work, urged Prime Minister Gordon Brown to make integration a national priority.

"The simple fact is, despite the progress that has been made, if you are an ethnic minority Briton, you are still more likely to be stopped by the police, be excluded from school, suffer poorer health treatment and live in poor housing," said CRE Director of Policy Nick Johnson.