The government's performance and innovation unit has today published an interim report on ethnic minorities and the labour market.

The report found that even after allowances for education and residential area, Pakistani Muslims are three times more likely to be jobless than Hindus are. Indian Muslims are twice as likely to be unemployed than Indian Hindus are.

Forum Response: Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development

Dianah Worman, diversity adviser at the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, told ePolitix.com: "Organisations need to be able to adapt to 21st century demands. This means recruiting and promoting talent from a much wider range of backgrounds in order to broaden and strengthen the capacity to meet rapidly-changing customer needs in today's global economy.

"Such an approach to diversity is tantamount to changing the corporate DNA, creating a richer, more dynamic environment. It means the organisation nurtures and develops the best candidates from across the board, which in turn leads to enhanced innovation, creativity and problem solving. It also means that employees reflect in today's diverse customer base. A cohesive and inclusive workplace is one where people are much more likely to thrive."

"According to the report, individuals from ethnic minorities will account for half the growth in population of working age over the next ten years. So organisations need to incorporate diversity into their people management strategies as a matter of some urgency."