The programmes, designed to jumpstart careers in the FCO which can lead to positions as high as ambassadors, actively discriminate against white males, with the only exception being made for “students in receipt of a full maintenance grant.”
A full maintenance grant is given to students whose household income is £19,203 or less per year. This effectively cuts out any middle class white male applicant as well.

According to the FCO’s “Summer Development Programme,” which is organised by the Cabinet Office, the objective is to “give talented individuals from black or minority ethnic backgrounds an experience of the Civil Service.”

The scheme is open to UK nationals “from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, in compliance with Section 37 (Positive Action) of the Race Relation Act 1976,” the FCO website says, before directing readers onto the Civil Service website for the job application procedure.

On that website, a message from Sir Gus O’Donnell, head of the Civil Service, awaits readers:

“I fully endorse the Summer Diversity Internship Programme,” Sir Gus gushes. “I commend the programme to you and trust that you will find your placement in a government department both challenging and stimulating, one which would very much benefit from your talents. I hope you will join us and make a difference,”he says.

The Civil Service website also helpfully informs readers that one “way to gain an insight into the diverse range of opportunities across the Civil Service is on our Fast Stream Summer Diversity Internship Programme for black and ethnic minority and disabled students.
Full article... HERE

Return to index