'Three years, no meaningful change': Open letter slams Sheffield leaders' 'failure to act' over racism report
An open letter has slammed Sheffield’s “failure to act” three years on from a ground-breaking report into racism - saying things are “now worse than ever.”
The statement, signed by the ‘Independent Sheffield Race and Equality Commission’ published today (March 19), details a “crisis” of moral leadership across the city.
It claims that, despite city leaders' public promises and strategies in 2022, things have not improved for Sheffield’s black and brown communities and are now worse in many areas.
“We will not be silent. We will not be patient. And we will not stand by while inequality is allowed to deepen especially for those forced to bear the weight of institutional failure,” the letter reads.
The Sheffield Race Equality Commission (SREC) was commissioned by the city council and set up by then-councillor Abtisam Mohammed, now MP for Sheffield Central.
The SREC is an arm of Sheffield City Council - meanwhile, the open letter today by the ‘Independent SREC’ appears to be penned by former members and commissioners out of protest. It includes the former chair of the formal SREC, Kevin Hylton.
Now, commissioners behind the report, who gave their time voluntarily, say the vast majority of its findings have not been implemented.
What does the open letter say?
“Three years have passed since the launch of the Race Equality Commission three years of promises, consultations, strategic frameworks, and hopeful speeches,” the letter reads.
“Yet for the communities we serve, particularly black and brown communities, the lived reality remains painfully unchanged. In truth, for many, the situation feels worse.
“During 2022 the Commission has worked tirelessly submitting evidence-based recommendations, convening partners, and raising our collective voice. What have we received in return? Rhetoric without resolve. Strategies without structure. Commitments without consequence.
“Let us be clear: Race inequality is not a side issue. It is a defining moral challenge of our time. Addressing it is not optional; it is a legal, ethical, and democratic obligation.
“To leaders at every level local and national we say this: the era of performative gestures must end. What is required now is action that is brave, measurable, and sustained.”
What were SREC's findings about racism in Sheffield?
Sheffield's Race Quality Commission published its damning findings in 2022 after two years of consultations.
Witnesses from across the city gave evidence on everything from education and health inequalities to workplace bullying, lack of access to funding, sport and culture.
Issues included disproportionate exclusion of black and brown boys, treatment of SEND students, protection of BAME staff in leadership positions, curriculum changes, bias among staff and lack of diversity in leadership roles.
Crucially, it set out a list of seven recommendations and 43 actions across sectors like education, community and the workplace.
The included zero tolerance policies with severe sanctions for harassment, bullying and discrimination, board member roles with specific expertise in equality and diversity and race, and accurate data on organisations’ diversity.
What does the letter call for?
The open letter calls for a doubling of efforts that ‘should have’ been set in motion by the report, including “real accountability”, “naming and dismantling structural racism” and “resources as a priority, not as an afterthought.”
Signees also want an independent assessment of whether work has been done.
This was a key finding which was agreed when the report was published, but has not happened.
It stresses that this would not be “duplicative” of the work done since 2022, because “one cannot duplicate work that has never been carried out.”
A spokesperson for the commissioners said: “Black and brown communities and those committed to anti racism in Sheffield have waited for generations to see the city confront the realities of racial inequality.
“We see black and brown workers locked out of leadership, organisations locked out of funding, families harmed by failures in safeguarding and healthcare, and communities consistently excluded from the decisions that shape their lives.
“This is a crisis of moral leadership. We will not remain silent while inequality deepens under the banner of progress.”
Alongside the open letter, the commissioners highlight a series of long-standing and newly emerging concerns and demand urgent action:
1. Lack of representation in senior and executive leadership
Black people in entry-level positions but not in leadership
The letter says black staff are disproportionately represented in entry-level and insecure roles, while being consistently excluded from high-level positions that shape policy, budgets, and organisational direction.
2. Barriers to funding for long-standing black organisations
Black organisations face chronic underfunding
Community groups that have served Sheffield’s black population for decades reportedly face chronic under-funding and barriers to accessing city investment.
Funding flows continue to favour larger, established institutions, but rarely black-led ones.
3. Health Inequalities That Remain Deep and Deadly
Black communities have higher rates of mental health problems, chronic disease and maternity deaths
The letter states health inequalities affecting black communities especially in mental health, chronic disease, and maternity outcomes remain unaddressed at scale. Despite extensive evidence, the city has yet to implement coordinated, measurable actions that:
● prevent disproportionate maternal deaths and near misses affecting black women, ● address barriers to early diagnosis,
● reduce preventable deaths in black adults,
● tackle systemic racism within healthcare pathways.
4. Failure to Learn from Serious Case Reviews
Formal investigations are racially biased and dismissive
Recent Serious Case Reviews (SCRs) and Safeguarding Adults Reviews (SARs) across the region reportedly show:
● racial bias in decision making,
● failures to recognise cultural context,
● misinterpretation of black family dynamics,
● delayed interventions,
● and poor inter-agency communication when black children or adults are at risk.
The letter claims that despite this, anti-racism training remain inconsistent, superficial, or optional. These patterns place black children and families at ongoing risk.
5. Systemic Failure to Deliver on REC Recommendations
The commissioners stress that Sheffield still lacks:
● a transparent, city-wide progress review,
● a publicly available baseline of what has been implemented,
● independent scrutiny of institutional delivery,
● mechanisms for accountability to the communities most affected.
What have Sheffield’s institutes said in response?
The Sheffield Race Equality Commission marked a pivotal moment for our city.
We have made good progress in some areas such as increasing diversity in workforces, supporting diverse businesses, and introducing the Racial Literacy Programme in Sheffield’s schools.
We remain grateful to the members of the Race Equality Commission whose work helped catalyse this movement and the many Commissioners who continue to support our work.
We are committed to working together to create a city where everyone can belong and thrive.
The Star contacted several Sheffield organisations for comment including the council, both universities, the Teaching Hospital NHS Trust and the police.
In reply, the Race Equality Partnership for Sheffield (REPS), which was launched following the 2022 report, sent a joint response:
“The Sheffield Race Equality Commission marked a pivotal moment for our city.
“Over the past few years, Sheffield has taken meaningful steps forward. This includes increasing diversity across many workforces, introducing the Race Equality Programme in Sheffield’s schools, establishing the Diverse Business Advisory Board, piloting a Stop and Search Scrutiny Panel, and hosting landmark cultural events such as the 26th MOBO Awards and The Fringe, celebrating and supporting grassroots musicians of Black origin.
“At the same time, we recognise that the Commission’s report set out a long-term ambition. Tackling racial inequality requires sustained partnership, honest reflection and continued action across every part of civic life.”
It comes as REPS is set to hold a showcase of work carried out following the report at the ‘Meeting the Moment’ community event at Showroom Workstation on March 23.
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