It would be wrong to argue that significant progress in eradicating poverty has not been achieved over the last decade. It is also the case that diversity has improved, albeit incrementally. However, those trapped at the very bottom of society have not received the help they need to allow equality of opportunity to flourish. EMF believes that these issues can only be resolved with relevant attention from government. EMF is stimulating debate about the framework in which government can address the concerns of working class Britain, create a more equitable society, aid social cohesion, and in the longer term increase the prosperity of the nation.

Politics is extremely difficult to break into, that applies for every marginalised section of society. There is no clear career path into party politics. This is something that has been of great concern to EMF for some time. EMF is in the early stages of scoping the viability of a new “Academy for Political Office” to build capacity for those from under-privileged and under-represented backgrounds to break into politics. The academy would be non-partisan, and focus on building the skills required for success in modern British politics.

As part of the Government’s initiative to enable public access to Internet technology, EMF undertook a range of initiatives to encourage minority ethnic individuals to experience the benefits of going online, including road shows at street markets across the country, mobile internet buses providing free Internet beginner sessions on board and free prize competitions to encourage people of all ages to have fun while learning.

In response to the persistent problem of ‘fuel poverty’, which disproportionally affects minority ethnic and disadvantaged groups; EMF – in partnership with London Energy and SWEB Energy – launched the ‘Energy Savers’ Campaign in 2004.