Blears warns against creation of ethnic social divide in UK

Published on Thursday 3 April 2008 10:33

A CABINET minister warned today against the development of "social apartheid" in the UK, with rich and poor and members of different ethnic groups living in separate areas.

UK Communities Secretary Hazel Blears said no single faith or ethnic group should dominate a neighbourhood to the extent that others feel "alienated, insecure or unsafe".

She argued that as the Government presses ahead with plans for three million new homes, it should ensure different types and sizes of property were mixed together, rather than the wealthy living in gated communities and the poor in sink estates.

Speaking to the Fabian Society in Westminster, Ms Blears said it was vital for community cohesion that different races and faith groups shared the same streets and neighbourhoods.

She cited with approval Welsh politician Aneurin Bevan's vision of villages and towns "where the doctor, the grocer, the butcher and the labourer all lived in the same street".