Are London's Cabbies Too White?

They might drive black cabs, but London’s licensed taxi drivers have come under fire today for being too white.

The ranks of traditional Cockney cabbies are the latest group to fall foul of equality groups, who say there are not enough female or ethnic minority taxi drivers.

Claiming that cab drivers fail to accurately represent the city were they work, London Mayor Ken Livingstone (Re Ken is a Communist N.M.)has launched a drive to put more women and people from ethnic minorities behind the wheel of the city's taxies.

Mr Livingstone said the commitment to learning the gruelling "Knowledge" that each cabbie must memorise before being allowed to take fares meant many were discriminated against.

He said: "This project will help address the barriers to employment that currently exist for women and people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority communities to participate in this important part of our city's life."

The scheme, run by the London Development Agency, aims to boost the low figures of women drivers, who make up just 1.6 per cent of London cabbies, and those from ethnic minorities, who form five per cent. Around a third of all London residents are from an ethnic minority.

It will support participants learning the 25,000 different routes within a six-mile radius of Charing Cross, offering language and numeracy skills, and childcare provision throughout the process, which can take up to three years to master.

Manny Lewis, Chief Executive of the London Development Agency, said: "London is one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

"This programme for women and people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Communities will help them do the Knowledge course, and ultimately achieve greater diversity in the taxi trade to ensure that it is more representative of London's population."

The programme was also welcomed by womens' groups.

Vivienne Hayes, director of the Women's Resource Centre, said: "The Women's Resource Centre welcomes the Mayor's initiative to promote women’s employment in this predominantly male arena.

"Women in London will no doubt be pleased to see an increase in female taxi drivers.

"Women's Resource Centre acknowledges and thanks the Mayor for continuing to address issues concerning women’s inequality and poverty, particularly in the current environment where the discourse around gender consistently fails to address the continued discrimination faced by all women."

A spokesman for the Equality and Human Rights Commission spokesperson said: "Schemes like this are a step in the right direction towards enabling people with the skills and tools necessary to reach their full potential."

Applicants must be over 21 and have a full driving licence. They will have to go through an interview before being accepted on the scheme.

Copyright © 2007 Global News Feeds             +44(0)207...       

 

 

***********************************************************************************************