NLJ this week: Is inequality undermining trust?

The report exposes a ‘reality gap’ between polished diversity statements and entrenched practices, where ‘the same people continue to rise’. Key failings include unequal access, informal promotion systems, and poor data transparency.

The authors argue equity must become a ‘professional standard’, not branding, urging reforms such as transparent criteria and fair work allocation. Without change, they caution, public confidence will erode: justice risks appearing ‘something done to people, not with them’.