London Ambulance Service told to improve workforce diversity

By Noah Vickers, Local Democracy Reporter

The London Ambulance Service (LAS) has been told by City Hall to improve the ethnic diversity of its workforce.

The request was just one of several recommendations made by the London Assembly’s health committee, in a letter sent to LAS chief executive Daniel Elkeles.

Only one in five LAS employees (20 per cent) come from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, despite almost half of all Londoners having a non-white background.

Mr Elkeles said the organisation was committed “to making sure our workforce is much more representative of the people of London”.

In their letter to the chief executive, the committee pointed out that the 20 per cent of minority ethnic staff were disproportionately found in the organisation’s lowest-paid roles.

In the lowest four employment bands, minority representation was at 40.9 per cent, compared to 15.9 per cent in the highest bands.

Committee chairman Krupesh Hirani said: “London is one of the most diverse cities in the world and our blue light services should reflect the cultures and communities they serve.

“It is encouraging that the LAS’s new strategy includes a commitment to improving diversity in the organisation, as with only one in five of its current workforce from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic background, it is not truly ethnically representative of London.”

Mr Elkeles said: “As we outlined to Greater London Authority members in a recent meeting, we recognise the big challenges ahead in providing even better emergency and urgent care for Londoners and ensuring our workforce reflects the communities we serve.”

Pictured top: Krupesh Hirani AM (Picture: London Assembly)