Donation Amount. Min £2

David Postings, the chief executive of UK Finance, said the body takes linguistic issues in society 'extremely seriously' - Lucy North/PA Wire/PA Images© Provided by The Telegraph/Photo Courtesy

The phrase “black market” should not be used because it is racist, banking leaders have said.

UK Finance, a lobby group that represents the interests of Britain’s banks and those in financial services, issued guidance banning language it says is “non-inclusive”.

The guidance suggests replacing “black market” with “illegal market” to avoid racial bias or discrimination.

The cyber security term “black hat”, which refers to an unauthorised user on a network, should be replaced with “unethical”, it adds, while “sanity check” should be replaced by “functional test” in order not to “infer a level of disability”.

David Postings, the chief executive of UK Finance, said the body takes linguistic issues in society “extremely seriously”

But Nigel Mills, a Tory MP, called the guidance – which was issued in 2021 – “woke nonsense”, adding: “You’d think bank bosses would have their focus on the country’s economy rather than this.” 

‘Gender biased’

The phrase “man in the middle” which indicates a cyber attack, was also thought to be gender biased, to be replaced with “network interception”, says the guidance. 

A cyber attack check to see how secure a network is, known as “penetration testing”, should now be called “ethical hacking” or “blue testing”.

A spokesman for UK Finance said: “Two years ago, we issued a report in conjunction with EY and Microsoft that looked at the issue of language in technology and cyber security.”

It comes after a charity advised doctors to refer to a vagina as a “bonus hole” to avoid upsetting transgender men.

Jo’s Cervical Cancer Trust said “bonus hole” and “front hole” were acceptable alternatives to vagina, a word that could “cause someone to feel hurt or distressed”.

Oxfam also published an inclusive language guide which cautioned staff against using the terms “mother” and “father”.

And in April a judge in North Wales, Mr Justice Eyre, asked jurors whether addressing them as “ladies and gentlemen” was acceptable for fear it may have been too “traditional, offensive or exclusive”. By Alex Barton, The Telegraph

About IEA Media Ltd

Informer East Africa is a UK based diaspora Newspaper. It is a unique platform connecting East Africans at home and abroad through news dissemination. It is a forum to learn together, grow together and get entertained at the same time.

To advertise events or products, get in touch by info [at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447957636854.
If you have an issue or a story, get in touch with the editor through editor[at] informereastafrica [dot] com or call +447886544135.

We also accept donations from our supporters. Please click on "donate". Your donations will go along way in supporting the newspaper.

Get in touch

Our Offices

London, UK
+44 7886 544135
editor (@) informereastafrica.com
Slough, UK
+44 7957 636854
info (@) informereastafrica.com

Latest News

BREAKING: Convicted Independence Day Bomber, Charles Okah, In Critical Condition After Suspected Bomb Blast At Maiduguri Prison

BREAKING: Convicted...

The blast, which occurred around 9 p.m. on April 20, is now being treated by insiders as an attempte...

Counties to go on splurging billions in legal fees – Senate say

Counties to go on sp...

Taxpayers will continue to pay billions of shillings to external lawyers procured by county governme...

Tanzania seeks to export more cotton

Tanzania seeks to ex...

KCA officials informed the delegation that Pakistan was already importing a considerable quantity of...

Gov’t apologizes to U.S. for deportation fiasco, to send delegation to Washington

Gov’t apologizes to...

Vice President Benjamin Bol Mel. (Courtesy photo) April 20, 2025 JUBA CITY The Government of South...

For Advertisement

Big Reach

Informer East Africa is one platform for all people. It is a platform where you find so many professionals under one umbrella serving the African communities together.

Very Flexible

We exist to inform you, hear from you and connect you with what is happening around you. We do this professionally and timely as we endeavour to capture all that you should never miss. Informer East Africa is simply news for right now and the future.

Quality News

We only bring to you news that is verified, checked and follows strict journalistic guidelines and standards. We believe in 1. Objective coverage, 2. Impartiality and 3. Fair play.

Banner & Video Ads

A banner & video advertisement from our sponsors will show up every once in a while. It keeps us and our writers coffee replenished.