Our Equalities Vision
Our Equality and Diversity Vision is integral to our overall vision of improving the quality of life of everyone who lives and works in the West Midlands and is embedded in our values, strategic aims, policies and day to day activities.
We put equality and diversity at the heart of the business. We value the diversity of our customers, staff, suppliers, partners and all the people we work with and are committed to treating everyone fairly and achieving equal outcomes for all.
We strive to creative a positive working environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect and provide services and implement strategies that meet the diverse needs of people in the West Midlands.
We will:
- Work in a way which promotes equality and diversity and which does not discriminate against any of our staff, service users, partners and people living in the region.
- Take into account and value individual and group differences and implement policies that recognise people’s different needs.
- Challenge any instance of inequality and proactively address the different needs of our employees and people in the region.
- Proactively engage and consult with people to understand the diverse society in which we operate, ensure our policies and services meet key needs and that there is public involvement and influence in decision making, planning, policy and service delivery
- Continue to strive towards a culture that is diverse and inclusive that recognises the benefits and opportunities of having a diverse community of staff.
- Strive to ensure that everyone can access our services, facilities and information
- Ensure equalities and diversity are priorities across all parts of the organisation, including at senior level
See our Equality and Inclusion Review
Learn about Equity and Inclusion in the WMCA workplace.
Equity and Inclusion Scheme 2025-2028
Our Equity and Inclusion Scheme sets out our vision and objectives for promoting inclusion and tackling inequity and inequalities. The scheme is divided into a number of sections, including an action plan, which together provide a complete picture of our approach to equity, diversity and inclusion, to help improve the lives of everyone who lives and works in the West Midlands.
You can read the full Equity and Inclusion Scheme to learn more.
If would like a copy of the full scheme or a document in a form more suited to your needs, please contact our Customer Services Team at customerservices@wmca.org.uk or telephone us on 0345 303 6760.
Antisemitism
On 24th July 2020, WMCA adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s (IHRA) working definition of Antisemitism which states:
“Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.”
This definition, alongside the corresponding examples that are detailed below, is not legally binding but we have chosen to adopt the definition and incorporate it into our policies to ensure there is clarity around what antisemitism is and to demonstrate that antisemitism will not be tolerated at WMCA. This is also in line with our wider equality and inclusion objectives and the Equality Act Public Sector Duty to demonstrate due regard or think about the need to:
- eliminate unlawful discrimination
- advance equality of opportunity between people who share a protected characteristic and those who don’t;
- foster or encourage good relations between people who share a protected characteristic and those who don’t
Anti Racist Statement
The West Midlands Combined Authority Board is making a long term, shared commitment to becoming an Anti-Racist Region.
Together, we’re making the West Midlands the best place to live, work and visit — and that means building an Anti‑Racist Region where everyone can thrive. We will use our powers and partnerships to tackle racial and economic inequality, widen opportunity for all, and stand in solidarity with communities across our region.
We are proud of the towns, cities and communities that make up our region. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths, and everyone in every place should have the opportunity to succeed.
Our Growth Plan sets a clear ambition: to raise productivity and improve living standards for all. To achieve this, we must remove the barriers that make it harder for people to access good jobs and housing, travel easily, stay healthy and grow their businesses. Some of these barriers stem from racism, and others from poverty or place-based disadvantage, but all hold our region back from reaching its full potential.
Becoming an Anti-Racist Region means recognising race inequality where it continues to exist and taking meaningful action to address it. This is not about highlighting the needs one community over another. It is about acknowledging how racism in our society harms people, taking decisive action to remove the barriers it creates, and standing with communities when they are targeted by acts of hostility and racism, showing allyship, solidarity and leadership.
Together, we will build the evidence needed to understand inequality in our region. We will use our powers across transport, skills, housing, regeneration, retrofit and economic development to close gaps. We will work with councils, colleges, businesses, employers, and community and faith groups to widen opportunity, using our ability to convene to drive meaningful action. And we will embed Anti-Racism into how we design policy and strategy, target investment, deliver programmes and measure success.
We cannot achieve our regional ambitions of together, making the West Midlands the best place to live, work and visit while race inequalities persist. By making this commitment together, we are working to build a fairer future and a stronger, more inclusive economy: an Anti-Racist Region, a West Midlands with Opportunity for Everyone.”
Read the WMCA Anti Racist Statement here.