A new report, released today and co-led by the University of Oxford, has found that a majority of Britons continue to back Equality, Diversity and Inclusion principles, and are opposed to sweeping EDI cuts such as those seen in the United States. But support for EDI has fallen over the past year.
The report is based on a study by the University of Oxford, UCL Policy Lab, and More in Common, which examined public opinion about EDI by surveying more than 4,000 people across Britain. The study follows on from the Finding a Balance report (March 2024), and suggests a softening of public support for EDI. While 52% view EDI positively, this is down from 62% in 2024 - with a larger portion of the British public taking a neutral stance on EDI compared to last year.
It is vital that EDI is conducted in a way that is for everyone, and is seen to be for everyone. This can be done by anchoring EDI in values of respect and equal opportunity.
Professor Tim Soutphommasane, Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Oxford
However, the study, co-authored by Professor Tim Soutphommasane (Chief Diversity Officer at the University of Oxford), shows that attitudes on whether EDI initiatives lead to fairer outcomes have remained stable, with 48% saying EDI makes things fairer and nearly half of Britons (48%) seeing EDI as a good use of money.
Britons have a limited desire to follow the United States in cutting back EDI initiatives in public bodies, with only 37% supporting this. There is even less appetite (23%) for rolling back EDI in the private sector. More than half of Britons (56%) think businesses and others institutions should instead maintain or increase their EDI efforts.
Among the report's other findings, there is a growing perception of winners and losers, with EDI initiatives seen to benefit some groups to the detriment of others and the dividing of public views along political lines.
With respect to higher education, the public are more likely to say EDI does not restrict free speech than saying it does, and most (56 per cent) think EDI policies do not undermine academic excellence.
The report puts forward a series of recommendations, including putting shared values such as respect and equal opportunity at the heart of EDI to secure a broad coalition of support, focusing on tailored and voluntary approaches in workplaces, and devoting greater attention to socioeconomic disadvantage.
Professor Tim Soutphommasane, said, 'A lot has changed in the global political landscape, and the shifts in British public sentiment reflect this. There remains a majority of the British public who believe EDI is a good thing. But advocates and supporters of EDI will need to refocus and refine their efforts. It is vital that EDI is conducted in a way that is for everyone, and is seen to be for everyone. This can be done by anchoring EDI in values of respect and equal opportunity.'
Read the full report here .
