Marsha de Cordova responds to ONS statistics on Covid-19 deaths by ethnic group

"Across the globe, racial injustice has always had a devastating impact on society, and coronavirus has demonstrated the deadly consequences of when racial inequalities go unchecked.

"These findings are yet more evidence of the need for urgent action on this issue. But instead we have seen denial and delay from the Government.

Ends

Notes to Editors

1.     ONS statistics on Covid-19 deaths by ethnic group released today: https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/birthsdeathsandmarriages/deaths/articles/coronaviruscovid19relateddeathsbyethnicgroupenglandandwales/2march2020to15may2020

2.     The statistics show that black men are three times more at risk of coronavirus than their white counterparts.

3.     On Wednesday, Kemi Badenoch MP,  Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Equalities), said that the Government had already begun to take action on the disproportionate BAME deaths from Covid-19. Marsha de Cordova has written to the Minister this week to seek clarification on which actions are already in train and what the timeframe for them to be completed is.