UCAS to introduce ‘name blind’ policy to tackle racial biases

David Cameron stated that the decision is designed to combat any “unconscious bias” against BAME students. The move is just a part of a long-term set of goals designed to change the image of the Conservative party to “a modern, compassionate Conservative party that wants to extend social mobility”.

According to the Prime Minister, top universities currently make offers to 55% of white applicants, but only 23% of black applications. Cameron continued: “The reasons are complex, but unconscious bias is clearly a risk.” Bias against students with names that clearly indicate an ethnic background is a factor that is seen as easy to eliminate.

Race discrimination is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010 which applies to discrimination on the grounds of "colour, race, nationality or ethnic or national origins".

The level of diversity at university inadvertently affects the level of diversity in the legal sector, with many top law firms hiring the majority of their trainees from Russell Group universities.

The Universities and Science Minister, Joe Johnson, said at the Universities UK Annual Conference in September that the government is aiming for a 20% increase in the number of black and minority ethnic students going to university by 2020.

Top businesses UK wide have also agreed to implement name blind recruitment methods, including the BBC, the NHS, the civil service outside the highest ranks, KPMG and HSBC.

The decision on UCAS comes at the same time as, standing with Nicky Morgan, Minister for Women and Equality, the Prime Minister announced a three-pronged attack on the gender pay gap:

1. Large companies including top law firms will be forced to publish the size of bonuses for male and female employees
2. The law will be updated to force public sector bodies that employ more than 250 people to reveal the gap between men and women’s pay
3. Businesses in the FTSE-350 will be pressured to eliminate all-male boards