Evaluating Race Equality Procurement Pilots

The Race Equality Procurement Pilots are an Ethnic Minority Employment Task Force (EMETF) initiative, taking place in four government departments and agencies: Jobcentre Plus; the Department for Work and Pensions; the Identity and Passport Service (Home Office); and the Department for Children, Schools and Families (DCSF). The aim of the pilots was to enhance race equality within government department procurement, by increasing the diversity of suppliers and, at the same time, encouraging suppliers to make changes in their own employment diversity practices. These changes would also help government departments meet their duties under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act 2000. IES was commissioned to evaluate their effectiveness, to identify any lessons learned, and to provide examples of good practice in their running.