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'WASTE OF MONEY'

Ministers scrap unconscious race and gender bias training for civil servants after it did more harm than good

MINISTERS have scrapped unconscious race and gender bias training for Whitehall mandarins after it did more harm than good.

The Cabinet Office will halt the mandatory courses for managers as they try to put an end to the woke culture within the civil service.

Tory MP Ben Bradley said the unconscious race and gender bias training for civil servants was a waste of taxpayers' money
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Tory MP Ben Bradley said the unconscious race and gender bias training for civil servants was a waste of taxpayers' moneyCredit: PA:Press Association

The controversial training works on the assumption that most managers are unknowingly racist and teaches them strategies to overcome unconscious prejudices.

But it was found trying to suppress such bias could backfire and make people even worse.

In a statement, junior minister Julia Lopez said a report by the Behavioural Insights Team found “no evidence that this training changes behaviour in the long-term or improves workplace equality”.

She added: “It also states there is emerging evidence of unintended negative consequences.”

It had also been mandatory for MPs but was dropped after a backlash by more than 40, led by Tory Ben Bradley.

He said last night: “I welcome the fact we are no longer going to be wasting taxpayers’ money on it.”  

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