The Home Office said the Commission would act as an advisory body, working to identify ways and means of overcoming barriers to integration. It would be set up on a fixed-term basis and would be required to report by July 2005.

The plan is for the Commission to hold public meetings around the country and actively engage young people and those who have traditionally had less opportunity to contribute to this type of debate. The Home Office said this follows community visits undertaken by Ministers Hazel Blears and Paul Goggins over August and September to Oldham, Burnley, Leicester, Bradford, Manchester, Leeds, Birmingham, London and Bolton.