A number of major public and private sector giants have signed a pledge to make most job applications 'name-blind'

Fair opportunity: The pledge will help give people an equal chance

Major employers including the NHS, BBC and civil service will consider young people’s job applications without looking at their names in a bid to end racediscrimination.

Private sector giants including HSBC, Virgin Money and Deloitte have also signed the new pledge to make most job applications ‘name-blind’.

It comes after David Cameron warned in his Tory conference speech that young people with foreign-sounding names sometimes struggle to get job interviews, regardless of their credentials.

“I said in my conference speech that I want us to end discrimination and finish the fight for real equality in our country,” the PM said.

“Today we are delivering on that commitment and extending opportunity to all.”

PA

Equality? Cameron says he wants to end discrimination

For most firms the pledge will apply to all new jobs at an apprenticeship or graduate level.

The Government will go further and apply it to all civil service roles below senior level.

Civil service chief John Manzoni said: “It’s vital the Civil Service takes a lead on this, and I’m confident that this important step will help us build an organisation that is even more talented, diverse and effective than it is today.”