Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will commission a public inquiry into the disproportionate impact of covid-19 cases and fatalities amongst BAME, migrant and low-income workers.

The Government has no plans to commission a public inquiry into the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 and fatalities amongst black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME), migrant and low-income workers.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities (Kemi Badenoch MP) is leading cross-Government work on the findings from Public Health England’s reports to better understand the drivers behind the disparities in the risk and outcomes from COVID-19 and the relationships between the different risk factors. Her work will help us to improve understanding of the virus and who it affects so we can build on and protect our most vulnerable communities.

In addition, the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities has been set up to explore issues faced by minorities in this country and to champion the success of BAME groups. The aim is to set out a new, positive agenda for change – balancing the needs of individuals, communities and society, maximising opportunities and ensuring fairness. Challenges identified in COVID-19 response will be part of the Commission’s work and we anticipate a report on their findings and recommendations by the end of this year.