Human rights watchdog to investigate racial inequalities ‘laid bare’ by virus outbreak

A major investigation is to be launched into racial inequalities in the UK, which have been exposed by the coronavirus crisis.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) will examine the “loss of lives and livelihoods” among different ethnic minorities.

The probe follows publication of a report earlier this week which showed that black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) people are at higher risk of dying from Covid-19.

The EHRC has hailed the move as a “once in a generation” opportunity to tackle deep-seated inequalities and create a fairer country.

It comes as a wave of Black Lives Matter protests continues to sweep the UK, highlighting the anger felt over the treatment of BAME people.

The demonstrations were sparked by the unrest in the US following the killing of African-American man George Floyd, but the message from protesters has widened to discrimination more generally.

Earlier this week, a report by Public Health England (PHE) found that – after accounting for the effect of sex, age, deprivation and region – people of Bangladeshi ethnicity have around twice the risk of death from Covid-19 than people who are white British.

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Those of Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, Other Asian, Caribbean and Other Black ethnicity have between a 10 per cent and 50 per cent higher risk of death when compared to white British people.

EHRC chairman David Isaac said: “Now is a once in a generation opportunity to tackle long-standing entrenched racial inequalities.

“We intend to use our statutory powers to address the loss of lives and livelihoods of people from different ethnic minorities.

“Only by taking focused action to tackle race inequality across Britain will we become a fair country in which every individual can reach their full potential.

“This inquiry is part of our long-term strategic approach to tackle the structural inequalities that the coronavirus pandemic has laid bare.

“This is an important step towards ensuring that the deep-rooted inequality faced by ethnic minorities is meaningfully addressed as we rebuild.”

The EHRC said the proposals for its inquiry will be discussed with race equality leaders before setting out the terms of reference in the coming weeks.

The commission will have the power to compel evidence from Government departments and other organisations as it seeks to produce evidence-based recommendations for delivering progress.

It comes after PHE faced criticism that its report did not go far enough in explaining the reasons why BAME people are worse affected by the virus.

There has been concern at figures suggesting BAME people were nearly 50 per cent more likely than white people to be arrested in London under the coronavirus laws.

Equalities Minister Kemi Badenoch is now to lead a further review, working with the Government’s race disparity unit, to take forward PHE’s findings.

“This Government is rightly taking seriously the initial findings from the PHE report,” she said.

“However, it is also clear that much more needs to be done to understand the key drivers of the disparities identified and the relationships between the different risk factors.

“That is why I am now taking this work forward, which will enable us to make a real difference to people’s lives and protect our communities from the impact of the coronavirus.”