UK charities face criticism for paying white staff up to a third less than ethnic minority colleagues

Data released by Oxfam, Cancer Research UK and the British Red Cross show that white employees are paid between 7.6% and 33% less than their black or other ethnic minority counterparts. Oxfam said the gap may reflect higher-paid minority staff disclosing ethnicity while lower-paid white staff did not. Cancer Research UK attributed its gap to a larger proportion of white workers in lower-paid roles, noting that excluding retail staff would reverse the trend.

The British Red Cross reported an 11.4% higher pay for minorities. Politicians James Wild and Suella Braverman criticized the findings as evidence of preferential treatment against white workers. Each charity denied a policy of positive discrimination and emphasized ongoing efforts to ensure merit-based, inclusive remuneration.