Public Health England Review: Covid-19 Disparities

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The MP questioned the lack of recommendations in Public Health England's review, the absence of views on discrimination and racism from the review, the need for structural racism recognition, action to address socioeconomic inequalities, a plan for employers' BAME workforce risk assessment.

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The MP inquired about the involvement of various departments in addressing BAME communities' issues, including Work and Pensions, Transport, and Education.

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The MP inquired about Scotland's BAME communities' assurance and asked for action on no recourse to public funds policies and lowering sick pay thresholds.

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Sensitivity to disproportionate risk is greater when the leadership of institutions includes representation of those most at risk. That is an issue for corporations such as Transport for London and Govia Thameslink Railway, where there has been a lack of BAME representation in leadership roles. Will my hon. Friend look into how the Government can promote diversity in the leadership of our leading institutions?

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In 2010, Professor Marmot published a report highlighting structural inequalities predisposing the poorest to worse health outcomes. A decade later, these inequalities have grown. The PHE report has now highlighted fatal consequences of this inequality. Even today, low-paid workers are exposed to the greatest infection risks. Will the Minister pause the easement plan until a full mitigation plan is in place to address these inequalities?

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As a former employer, I am acutely aware of my impact on employee welfare. Will my hon. Friend say how important it is to engage with employers in her work?

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The Spanish flu epidemic led to huge social reforms. The report points to the need for similar action today. Almost three quarters of health and social care staff who have died due to covid-19 are from black and ethnic minorities. Why does the review fail to mention occupational discrimination faced by BME healthcare staff, which has been highlighted by the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing?

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Belly Mujinga died tragically from coronavirus after being spat at while at work. She was at increased risk due to her ethnicity and underlying health conditions. Thousands of BAME frontline workers recognise the risks that Belly faced as similar to their own. When will the Government instruct employers to put in place comprehensive protections for all BAME staff and other vulnerable workers?

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The report identified age as the greatest disparity. Can the Minister assure me that she is conscious of the sacrifices that older people are making and that she will do what she can to ensure that older people are treated equally?

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No recourse to public funds is a racist policy that forces black people and BAME backgrounds out to work due to lack of choice. Will the Minister abolish it now?

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This Public Health England analysis is based on incomplete data due to missing factors such as occupation and comorbidities. Why is this, given the undertakings from the Office for National Statistics two years ago regarding discrepancies in the way data was collected?

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The Black Lives Matter protest highlighted the issue that being black should not be a death sentence. Can we really look into our sons’ eyes and say we acknowledged it? Surely we need action, not just statements.

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How will the Minister ensure that everybody is treated equally, regardless of ethnicity?

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The MP joins in condemning the murder of George Floyd and recognises the contributions made by BAME workers during the crisis. He asks for immediate actions the Minister is taking to address these disparities.

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The MP questions the completeness of the Public Health England report, criticising the Government's handling of structural racism reports previously. She raises concerns about delays in addressing social injustices.

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The MP asks if the report has gone far enough in examining issues such as age and ethnicity, comorbidities, socioeconomic factors, and multi-generational living.

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The MP argues for justice and demands a race equality strategy covering all Whitehall Departments to address underlying inequalities highlighted by the pandemic.

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The MP asks for assurances regarding recording of COVID-related deaths based on ethnic data and steps to ensure positive health outcomes for BAME communities.

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The MP questions if there are reasons why certain individuals and stakeholder groups should not be included in the report, demanding full unredacted evidence from those involved.

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The MP highlights significant gender disparity in COVID-19 deaths and asks for resources to understand the causes and tackle them.

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The MP raises concerns about racial disparities in prison populations where BAME communities are disproportionately represented.

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The MP discusses the concept of levelling up beyond north-south divides, focusing on inequalities within urban areas.

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The MP points out overt pregnancy discrimination for self-employed women under the Chancellor’s support scheme.

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The MP asks for further investigation into factors like underlying health conditions and employment types that affect disproportionate effects on BAME communities.

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In Blackpool, the life expectancy for the poorest is 20 years below the national average. The PHE report indicates that deprived communities have been disproportionately affected by covid-19, supported by a high local infection rate. Does my hon. Friend agree it's imperative to reduce health inequalities between rich and poor?

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The Rhondda has one of the highest death rates per 100,000 people in the country. Being poor means an early death by some 20 years compared to richer parts due to low wages, unsafe labour conditions, meagre benefits and reliance on food banks. Surely we must learn from coronavirus that key workers should be paid properly.

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Lack of leadership and transparency at PHE and NHS England has exposed barriers for BAME health workers, including death rates and unequal access to personal protective equipment. How will the Government hold these institutions accountable?

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Does the Minister agree there are additional barriers for BAME communities to access key services, and will she press her colleagues to suspend the ‘no recourse to public funds’ restriction during this crisis?

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The Race Disparity Unit supports Departments in driving change where disparities are found. Will the Minister ensure the unit is dedicated to understanding how to close the gap in respect of coronavirus?

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'No recourse to public funds’ reinforces structural inequalities that the Black Lives Matter campaign is trying to call out, leaving constituents destitute. Will the Government review this situation and allow people to get the support they need?

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Many BAME people in Bolsover constituency are proud of their contribution to the health service and care system. Does the Minister agree they have made a fantastic contribution?

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People look to this House to set an example on hand-washing and social distancing. Will Members in the House set an example for BAME communities?

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Research shows diagnosis rates are higher in deprived, densely populated urban areas. Does the Minister accept that we must research disparities to address them effectively and allocate resources accordingly?

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The report mentions correlations between the virus and other conditions, such as diabetes. Does the Minister agree these links with co-morbidities need thorough study?

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Given the lack of recommendations in the report, will the Minister commit to establishing a post-covid-19 equality strategy to tackle health inequalities?

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Health inequalities related to historical work conditions, such as silicosis and chronic bronchitis among former miners. Should these inequalities be looked at in context of the outbreak?

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Three quarters of healthcare staff battling this virus who died were BAME. Can the Minister explain why the PHE review failed to mention occupational discrimination faced by BAME healthcare staff, identified by both the British Medical Association and the Royal College of Nursing?

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May I draw to my hon. Friend’s attention the information published this week by the Care Quality Commission on 2 June, which highlighted the much higher death rate among people with learning disabilities, both from covid and non-covid causes? There was a 134% increase over the past year. I ask her to talk to her Health and Social Care Department colleagues about what that implies for access to testing for working age people in the care sector.

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All lives matter. They matter now and they mattered in March and April, when many of my constituents could not get a test when they needed one. Will the Minister talk to her colleagues about changing the attitude of Public Health England towards working with the private sector to mobilise testing capacity?

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The report identifies death rates in the most deprived areas as being more than double those in the least deprived. Does the Minister agree that growing capacity in community development is essential in ensuring equality of opportunity and levelling up in cities such as Stoke-on-Trent?

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In February of this year, Professor Marmot published his review of health inequalities a decade after his original report. He made several recommendations, the first being for the creation of a cross-government, cross-party strategy led by the Prime Minister to address those health inequalities. Given that covid-19 has shown how far we are from achieving a fair and equal country, will the Minister say whether the Government will incorporate that recommendation as a key part of the recovery from coronavirus?