Commons Sense

House of Commons · Adjournment Debate

Black History Month

19 October 2023 · 1 other contributor

Opened by Abena Oppong-Asare Lab Erith and Thamesmead

Women & Equalities

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Abena Oppong-Asare raised concerns about black history month in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.

Key points

  • Black History Month is highlighted as crucial for recognising black history year-round.
  • Mary Prince and other under-appreciated black Britons from health sectors are honoured.
  • The Minister for Women acknowledges government actions on race disparities and Windrush claims.

How the debate unfolded

MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.

Opened the debate

Abena Oppong-Asare Lab Erith and Thamesmead

The debate begins with Abena Oppong-Asare highlighting the importance of Black History Month, emphasising the need to recognise black history throughout the year. She pays tribute to various under-appreciated black Britons such as Mary Prince, Karen Bonner, and others from the health sector. The speech also addresses significant issues affecting black communities, including maternal health disparities, the lack of specialist training for police dealing with domestic abuse among black women, and educational racism. She calls for action on diversifying curricula and implementing a race equality strategy. Oppong-Asare raises concerns about the Windrush scandal's impact and advocates for Labour's commitment to justice for the Windrush generation.

Other contributors (1)

Government Response

Maria Caulfield

The Minister for Women, Maria Caulfield, acknowledges the importance of Black History Month and celebrates black British women's contributions. She highlights government actions such as the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities report, 'Inclusive Britain' strategy with 74 action points, and progress on reducing time taken to allocate Windrush claims. The Minister commits to raising concerns about Valerie’s law and specialist training for police. She discusses maternal health improvements through the maternity disparities taskforce and efforts towards equality in education and employment. Caulfield also mentions work on online safety laws against racist abuse and commitments to continue addressing ethnic disparities.

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