Progress in implementing the recommendations of the Stephen Lawrence inquiry report depends on the commitment of management, according to the Commission for Racial Equality.
The CRE’s annual report, published last week, stated that there was evidence of progress in the "wider recognition by public authorities of the potential for discrimination in employment and service delivery".
But it adds, "The pace and quality of progress was manifestly determined by the degree of commitment at the top of an organisation and by its success in communicating the need for change to all staff."
A CRE spokeswoman said institutions such as the Army and Civil Service, "regardless of commitment, are still not reaching targets for ethnic minority recruitment".
She added, "Line and middle managers also have to accept the importance of racial equality."
