Liverpool £2.3m race equality business scheme launches in city

The Race Equality Hub team will support businesses access grants and loans

A £2.3m scheme to tackle race inequality in business provides a "once-in-a-generation opportunity", its director has said.

The Race Equality Hub, based on Merseyside, will help firms access investments, loans and grants.

Advisers from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds will be on hand to help businesses and individuals.

Programme director Alison Navarro said the launch of the hub was a "transformational turning point".

She added sometimes people "aren't short of the qualifications or desire, but are short of the opportunities".

Merseyside metro mayor Steve Rotheram said the hub could "generate about £300m in returns for the region".

"The Race Equality Hub is a bold, innovative approach that is putting power into the hands of underrepresented groups and giving them the freedom and tools to level the playing field," he said.