Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Health Foundation's report, Build back fairer: the covid-19 Marmot review, what recent discussions he has had with Cabinet colleagues on the links between (a) poverty and (b) higher covid-19 mortality rates; and what steps he is taking to tackle that matter.

We are determined to address the long-standing inequalities that exist in many areas.NHS England has committed to inclusive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic and the National Health Service has set eight actions to reduce inequalities in its restoration of services including reporting on providing services to the 20% poorest neighbourhoods.

Regular discussions continue to take place with Cabinet colleagues. The Minister for Equalities (Kemi Badenoch MP) is leading work to take forward the response to tackle COVID-19 disparities experienced by individuals from an ethnic minority background. There is also wider work underway across Government to consider the impact the virus has had on other groups, such as disabled people.