Ethnic minority women are ‘swimming against the tide' to become local councillors, a new report has revealed.

Many black and Asian women still face too many barriers to becoming councillors, according to research published by the campaigning group for equality Fawcett Society.

The society's senior policy officer for race and gender, Zohra Moosa, said: ‘Ethnic minority women councillors appear to be swimming against the tide.

‘They are motivated and keen to make a difference, but councils have not yet modernised to accommodate them.' It comes ahead of the Councillors Commission report, which has been looking at ways to increase diversity. The role continues to be treated as a pastime for those with spare time and money.

Local political parties' commitment to diversity appears to be weak, and they are not bridging the distance to ethnic minority women.

Those who have already become councillors face unspecific and often extended working hours, with inadequate allowances.

Women's minister, Harriet Harman, said: ‘The 2.3 million black, Asian and ethnic minority women in the UK make a great contribution to our society and economy, and we need them to be represented at every level of our democracy.'

The findings are part of Fawcett's research project, Routes to Power, tracking ethnic minority women's routes to decision-making positions. The final report is published later this year.

But the interim findings call for more outreach work from the Government and local political parties to target ethnic minorities in recruitment.

Councils are also being called on to make the role of councillor more professional by standardising office hours, providing a formal induction and training for new councillors, and more flexible working practices, such as remote working.