The National Council for Voluntary Organisations has revealed the extent of the pay gap between staff from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) backgrounds and their non-BAME colleagues.

In its annual report for the year ending 31 March 2020, the umbrella body says 31% of its workforce identify as BAME, but there is a much higher proportion of BAME staff in lower grades in the organisations.

It reveals that BAME staff earn on average 20% less than non-BAME staff, which is worse than the previous year, when the gap was 18%.

The figures show that all of its senior leadership team and all those in roles with the highest grade for staff, Grade A, are non-BAME.

On the next rung down the management ladder, Grade B, 64% of staff are non-BAME, compared to 36% BAME. This is the same proportion as 2019.

Meanwhile 100% of its catering assistant supervisor roles are BAME, the same as the previous year.

The NCVO has released the findings as it looks to tackle racism and a lack of diversity in its ranks.

During the summer its chief executive Karl Wilding pledged to address its “structurally racist organisation”.

In its annual report the NCVO says that its trustees and senior leadership team are committed to addressing the BAME pay gap.

Already an equalities, diversity and inclusion committee has been created to tackle racism.

The NCVO adds: “In relation to the BAME pay gap specifically, actions to address this will include reviewing our recruitment practices and work to attract more people from BAME communities to work at NCVO, particularly in the higher grades.

“Ahead of this however, we are also focusing on creating a more inclusive culture in order to drive policy change.”

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