At the time when Britain is almost bankrupt it’s essential to cut wasteful spending.

A good place to start is by stopping spending money on immigrants and asylum seekers and closing down the race relation industry.

This is why Sheffield council deserve credit for ending funding to the Sheffield Racial Equality Council.

Members of the equality body held a demonstration outside the Town Hall – but failed to persuade councillors to restore the organisation’s £120,000 annual budget.

The organisation held the protest before its representatives quizzed Lib Dem councillors about the decision to cease funding.

Protesters were joined by Paul Blomfield, Labour prospective parliamentary candidate for Sheffield Central.

He said: For 42 years Sheffield Race Equality Council has played an important role in challenging racism and supporting those facing discrimination. It’s completely wrong for the council to pull the Race Equality Council’s funding and withdraw its support, particularly at a time when race relations have been put under strain after the election of a BNP MEP.”

SREC chairman Mohammed Nazir said: “What will happen to equal opportunities? Can the council give assurances that it can fulfil its requirements to black and minority communities and provide evidence this will happen?”

SREC manager Aisha Special K added: “At a time when racial tension and violence is on the increase, the council should be increasing its financial investment not withdrawing it.

“The decision will have an adverse impact upon the people of Sheffield, in particular people from minority communities.”

SREC, which provides advice services to the city’s black and ethnic minority residents, claims the council held a “flawed consultation process” and said it is now looking at taking the authority to a judicial review.

But Sheffield Council leader Coun Paul Scriven said the decision to stop funding was right – because he does not believe the organisation currently delivers sufficient value for money.

He said: “At the moment SREC gets £120,000 a year. A lot goes in overheads, a manager, administration worker, rent and rates. Last year, it dealt with 44 cases.

“The council does not fund organisations but services. We are committed to continuing the service SREC provides. A total of £40,000 to £45,000 a year will be set aside and SREC will be invited to tender for the work.

“If the organisation believes it is the best and can offer the council value for money, then it can forward a bid. SREC will be assessed against others and if it is the best and can reduce overheads, it will get the service.”

Native Britons never asked to be swamped with mass immigration and therefore there is not justification for having a race equality body in the first place.

It may be interesting to know if this decision was taken because Mark Collett is standing as a candidate against David Blunkett, the man who said a few years ago that there is no limit in the amount of immigration Britain can take.

GIUSEPPE DE SANTIS

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