THE newly-published report looking at the issue of segregation doesn’t tell us anything we didn’t already know.

Those who live in areas of our district with multi-ethnic populations, which historically have higher levels of immigration, are fully aware of the issue of insufficient integration.

Indeed, it’s exactly what Lord Ouseley pointed out 15 years ago in his major report into the 2001 Bradford Riots.

However, despite the fact that a lot of good work has taken place at grassroots level since those days to improve community relations and bring about a more harmonious district, the fundamental structural problem still exists.

And even the study’s authors say they don’t really know why.

What seems to be lacking in this work by Professors Cantle and Kaufmann are any solid suggestions or recommendations as to how that long-standing situation can be improved. What we know already is that social engineering is not the answer.

Of course, the issue of segregation is a contentious one, so it’s no surprise that this latest report has sparked a heated debate among community leaders across the district.

The simple truth is that things will never improve until we start to build better trust and understanding between communities and tear down the social barriers.

Until we all understand there is far more that unites us than divides us whatever our culture, creed or ethnic background the problems will remain.

And rather than reports stating the obvious, what we really need are some creative and constructive suggestions as to how to get there.