Black In Britain. Newswatch 7th Aug. All of today's Black British news

We scan national newspapers for stories that feature Black people and where possible give you the opportunity to read them. For obvious reasons we cannot reproduce these stories, but will show you where to find them giving you the chance to view how the different publications deal with Black subjects and portray Black people. REMEMBER these are not our words, but where the subject/person is listed in on our site you will also be able to view things from what we believe to be a wholly Black perspective

RACE TEST
Firms bidding for Government contracts may lose out if they do not have enough ethnic minority workers. Bosses will have to prove they employ the right quota of Black and Asian workers for their area. The first three schemes have been given the go-ahead by No10 and could start in 2007

REID PLAN TO SLAP QUOTAS ON MIGRANTS
Home Secretary John Reid yesterday proposed slapping quotas on immigration for the first time. He said an advisory body would recommend “optimum” levels for the number of foreigners allowed to settle in the country. And he called for a “mature discussion” on action to stem the flood of illegal workers coming here

STAR DITCHED IN DRUGS ROW
The girl athlete set to be the face of London’s 2012 Olympics was last night suspended from the British team after missing three drugs tests. Christine Ohuruogu, 22 — the Commonwealth 400 metre champion — was due to compete in this week’s European Athletics Championships in Sweden. But governing body UK Athletics ordered her not to turn up, pending an inquiry

REID: TALKING ABOUT IMMIGRATION IS NOT RACIST
A limit could finally be introduced on the record number of migrants pouring into Britain, John Reid said today. The Home Secretary also admitted it is not 'racist' to have concerns about the huge number of foreigners heading here

ALMOST A QUARTER MUSLIMS BELIEVE 7/7 WAS JUSTIFIED
Almost a quarter of British Muslims say the July 7 attacks can be justified because of the Government's support for the 'war on terror'. The shocking 23 per cent figure is the equivalent of 370,000 of the 1.6m Muslims living in the UK.

EMPLOYERS FACE ETHNIC QUOTAS FOR PUBLIC WORK
Companies that bid for multimillion-pound Government contracts will be rejected if they do not employ enough black and Asian workers, under new proposals seen by The Times. A powerful committee that includes seven ministers has drawn up plans to question competing companies about their attitudes to race before choosing which to employ. Firms will be asked to provide figures showing the numbers of their black and Asian employees.

CALL FOR MORE ETHNIC MINORITY POLICE OFFICERS
The recruitment, retention and progression of ethnic minority staff in Britain's police forces is "woeful, piecemeal and pitiful", a senior race relations campaigner has warned. Keith Jarrett, the president of the National Black Police Association, is calling for a change in the law that will allow forces in England and Wales to adopt an affirmative action policy

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OPINION: GOVERNMENT IN 'SPOT-THE-BLACKMAN' FARCE

WHAT PRICE A GOVERNMENT CONTRACT? If you get more Black people on your payrole, the chances are you could land a great Government contract. If you need any reassurance that it works, just look at the BBC. It gets millions upon millions in licence fees and although with the exception your Ainsley Harriots (Ready Steady Cook) and Darren Jordan (One O'clock News), you'll find the rest of the Black brethren employed within in the depths of the kitchens and on the cleaning staff. YES, I know I sound bitter, and yes I know there are a few Black executives in and around Bush House and TV Centre, but as long Mo George remains a dustbin-man on EastEnders you know no self-respecting Black writer is involved at the sharp end.
Affirmative action is a great idea, but achieving on merit is always better. The argument is, that in a racist society, this isn't always possible. But whilst hand-outs can be great, there's always a price to be paid - so beware. BH