Figures show extent of ethnicity pay gap

Household incomes among white ethnic groups are on average 63 percent higher than those for black ethnic groups, according to figures published by the United Kingdom's Office for National Statistics, or ONS.

The ONS found that income inequality in the UK has widened over the past two years and indicated that it is likely to widen further as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

People in white ethnic groups on average had higher levels of household income than all other ethnic groups on a range of income measures in the financial year to the end of March 2019.

The figure for white households, before taking into account taxes and benefits, was 42,371 pounds ($52,977) a year compared to 25,982 pounds for black households, the ONS data showed.

The data comes as global protests, following the death of George Floyd, have intensified scrutiny of racial inequality in society.

The figures also reveal the gap between the income of the top 20 percent of UK households, with incomes of 105,000 pounds, and those in the bottom 20 percent, on 7,700 pounds.

It found that employees in occupations that had a higher propensity for home working were on average more likely to have a higher household disposable income.

It also found that 40 percent of workers in the poorest fifth of households work in occupations that have greater exposure to the novel coronavirus, such as care work and catering.

The figures come as Oxford University revealed that more than one fifth of undergraduates who secured places at the institution last year were from black and minority ethnic, or BAME, backgrounds.

Its Vice-Chancellor Louise Richardson said the figures showed "steady progress towards diversifying the make-up of our student body".

The proportion of black and ethnic minority students has risen from 14.5 percent five years ago to 22.1 percent last year, according to the university's annual undergraduate admissions report.

But privately educated students are still significantly overrepresented, according to the data, and some colleges and courses remain much more diverse than others.

The university said it will expand online resources to increase diversity.

Richardson said: "The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has exposed the deep education inequalities in our society. We are acutely conscious of its differential impact both on our current students and on those considering applying to Oxford."

Last week, following the Black Lives Matter protests, Oriel College voted to remove a statue of imperialist Cecil Rhodes.