In recent weeks, US companies have dominated headlines by scaling back their DEI initiatives. The Trump administration has DEI in the firing line, with the US president blaming a plane crash in Washington DC on ‘diversity hires’ in air traffic control.
A survey by Culture Amp, an employee experience platform, has found that UK firms are protecting DEI budgets and embedding DEI goals into their core business, despite the growing backlash against such initiatives in the US. The survey of more than 1,000 UK organisations revealed that 74% of businesses have a DEI programme, with 26% increasing funding and 33% maintaining stable budgets.
Culture Amp’s Equitable Operations Vice President, Aubrey Blanche-Sarellano, said the firm’s survey had found that ‘a big majority of UK companies are still committed to building workplaces where people are treated fairly and with respect.’
She added that it was striking that support for DEI in UK workplaces was strongest among older age groups. These were more likely to be senior managers and line managers who recognised the benefits of more equitable workplaces and could lead systemic change in their organisation.
Source: Study finds UK firms are not ditching DEI, personneltoday.com, 14 February 2025.
