Employers must do more to increase the numbers of Muslim graduates moving into work, employment minister Margaret Hodge urged today.
Revealing figures showing only 76% of Muslim university-leavers of working age are in jobs compared to 87% of all graduates, Hodge said firms are missing out on a talented and diverse workforce.
The minister, who also chairs the Ethnic Minority Employment Task Force, said a concerted effort by a partnership of the government, educators, trainers and employers is needed to close the gap in opportunity.
"Ensuring everybody has equal access to work is not just morally right - it's good for business and the economy because it means we are making the most of our talents," Hodge said.
"But these figures show that some employers are missing out and too many graduates from ethnic minority communities are being left behind."
Hodge was speaking at the Muslim Graduates in The Labour Market seminar in London, a timely event given the London terror attacks on July 7.
All four bombers were British and the government is currently leading efforts to encourage young Muslims to feel better integrated into UK society.
Earlier today, prime minister Tony Blair held a meeting with Muslim and opposition party leaders in Downing Street to discuss community relations in the aftermath of the blasts which killed at least 56 people.
Speaking after the gathering, Blair said there was a 'strong desire' to set up a task force to speak to young Muslims in the UK 'and confront this evil ideology and defeat it.'
He later told journalists that terrorists, like those who targeted the Capital, had a 'twisted logic' and would use any excuse to justify their actions.
