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Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities
20 April 2021
Lead MP
Kemi Badenoch
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
TaxationEmploymentWomen & Equalities
Other Contributors: 30
At a Glance
Kemi Badenoch raised concerns about commission on race and ethnic disparities in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
The Minister announced the publication of an independent report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, established to examine racial disparities in the UK. The commission reviewed education, employment, crime and policing, and health issues, noting that while racism and discrimination persist, many other factors like deprivation contribute significantly to inequalities. It highlighted significant progress in educational attainment for ethnic minority groups but also identified persistent issues such as high rates of black men convicted for class B drug offences. The report recommends increasing funding to the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) to enforce anti-discrimination laws more effectively. The minister condemned false accusations against the commissioners, emphasising the need for a nuanced debate based on evidence. She outlined that an inter-ministerial group would review the recommendations and assured the House of an ambitious response by summer.
Battersea
Question
The shadow spokesperson asked who wrote the report, expressing concern about claims that No. 10 rewrote parts of it, questioning its credibility and impact on future independent commissions.
Minister reply
In response to concerns raised by the shadow spokesperson regarding the authorship of the report, the minister did not directly address the specific questions but instead emphasised the importance of informed debate based on evidence and called for a robust discussion without resorting to bad-faith attacks.
Battersea
Question
De Cordova questioned the credibility of the report, citing its divisive impact on race relations. She criticised the government for ignoring evidence of systemic racism and highlighted discrepancies in data reporting by the Office for National Statistics versus the commission’s findings. De Cordova also challenged the minister's statement that commissioners were independent, suggesting No. 10 had significant influence over the content.
Minister reply
The Minister rejected Labour’s assertions as false and hypocritical, pointing out that the Equality and Human Rights Commission found Labour institutionally racist. She defended the report by stating it was written independently by commissioners who have not dissociated themselves from its findings. The Minister urged focusing on facts and evidence rather than divisive rhetoric.
Peter Bottomley
Con
Bromley and Chislehurst
Question
Bottomley welcomed the Government's statement in support of Tony Sewell’s report, emphasising the need for fair treatment of Gurpal Virdi, a Sikh officer wrongfully prosecuted by the Metropolitan police. He suggested that addressing such issues could lend credibility to the commission’s recommendations.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked Bottomley for his question and agreed on the importance of fair treatment in cases like Gurpal Virdi's. She invited him to discuss further, expressing willingness to understand the case better and explore what government actions can be taken.
Kirsten Oswald
SNP
Dumfries and Galloway
Question
The SNP MP questioned the Minister regarding criticisms of the report by various organisations such as the Runnymede Trust, Amnesty International, and leading clinicians. She pointed out that these groups highlighted issues like institutional racism, health inequalities, and the impact of policies like the 'hostile environment'.
Minister reply
The Minister responded by stating that Northern Ireland engaged with the commission while Scotland did not, implying criticism from the SNP was hypocritical. She also accused left-wing groups of misrepresenting the report's findings and emphasised the importance of addressing racism where it exists.
Theresa May
Con
Richmond Park
Question
The former Home Secretary asked about mandatory reporting of ethnicity pay gaps, given that the commission recommended investigating disparities but did not mandate such reporting.
Minister reply
The Minister thanked Theresa May for her work on setting up the Race Disparity Unit and acknowledged the need to consider the report's recommendations regarding statistical and data issues in ethnicity pay reporting. She committed to assessing implications with colleagues at BEIS before responding formally.
Diane Abbott
Ind
Hackney North and Stoke Newington
Question
The MP questioned the Minister’s accusation of bad faith from critics, referencing experts like Professor Michael Marmot. She also criticised the report as shoddy and cynical.
Minister reply
The Minister defended her statement against accusations of misrepresentation by opponents but did not accuse specific experts of bad faith. She emphasised the need for constructive criticism rather than division.
Caroline Nokes
Con
Romsey and Southampton North
Question
Asked about the importance of narrative in responding to the report's recommendations, suggesting that the Government should address all 24 points with a positive tone.
Minister reply
Agreed on the importance of narrative alongside evidence. The Minister emphasised creating a sense of belonging for young people through shared values and culture rather than perpetuating division.
Dawn Butler
Lab
Brent East
Question
The MP accused the government of briefing messages ahead of the report's release, implying gaslighting on a national scale.
Minister reply
Responded strongly to accusations, stating that such rhetoric is divisive and inappropriate. The Minister accused Labour of using derogatory terms like 'racial gatekeepers' inappropriately.
Tom Hunt
Con
Ipswich
Question
Raises concerns about organisations prejudging the Sewell report for political ends and criticises Runnymede Trust's campaign against the report, arguing that such actions undermine race relations and discourage ethnic minorities from contributing to public life.
Minister reply
Agrees with MP's concerns, mentions a complaint filed against Runnymede Trust with the Charity Commission due to inappropriate behavior by staff members. Also questions the Labour Party's stance on similar remarks.
Wera Hobhouse
Lib Dem
Bath
Question
Asks for government commitment to work with organisations like Operation Black Vote to implement a covid-19 race equality strategy focusing on health inequalities and the lived experience of ethnic minorities.
Minister reply
Acknowledges ongoing work on this issue, highlights efforts to increase vaccine uptake among ethnic minority groups addressing misinformation and disinformation.
Chris Green
Con
Heywood and Middleton
Question
Discusses the BBC's approach regarding race and culture, expressing concern that it may limit authors' creative freedom.
Minister reply
Supports freedom of expression for authors and playwrights to write about a broad range of people regardless of race or ethnicity.
Alan Brown
SNP
Clydebank and Rutherglen
Question
Asks if the government agrees that countries should face their colonial history, mentioning an SNP pledge for educational programmes on colonial history.
Minister reply
Agrees on need for a mature discussion about colonial history but corrects misrepresentation of Sewell report regarding slavery.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Question
Requests an assurance that the government will stop publicly funded organisations promoting divisive narratives, citing complaints against Runnymede Trust.
Minister reply
Commits to looking into representations across Government regarding promotion of divisive narratives. Mentions EHRC's open letter criticising Runnymede Trust.
Greenwich and Woolwich
Question
Questions the report's claim about convergence in employment and pay for ethnic minorities, citing persistent unemployment disparities.
Minister reply
Explains that statistics often skew due to age differences among racial groups and encourages engagement with recommendations based on evidence.
Dwyfor Meirionnydd
Question
While respecting the commission's work, does the minister recognise evidence of disparity in stop and search rates and prison sentences between black and white people? Will she collaborate with the next Welsh Government to implement a race equality action plan?
Minister reply
The minister clarified that while the report acknowledges overt racism exists, it did not find conclusive evidence of institutional racism. She explained disparities in stop-and-search data are influenced by geographic factors like London's high concentration of ethnic minorities. The minister committed to considering recommendations for building trust with police and reducing unnecessary searches.
Neil O'Brien
Con
Harborough, Oadby and Wigston
Question
Does the minister agree that acknowledging both progress made and challenges still faced is essential for further improvement?
Minister reply
The minister agreed with the importance of focusing on what works and why to address disparities. She highlighted the need to understand differences in outcomes among similar groups, such as black African vs black Caribbean populations or Indian vs Pakistani communities.
Rachel Hopkins
Lab
Luton South and South Bedfordshire
Question
Will the minister consider reinstating funding for English language courses cut since 2010?
Minister reply
The minister invited the hon. lady to submit a comprehensive proposal regarding ESOL funding, which would be considered in light of the Government's response.
Question
Does the minister share concerns about vilification and threats against commissioners who have acted with integrity?
Minister reply
The minister expressed agreement that vilification is unwarranted, noting the commission sought perspectives from those working in various fields rather than just commentary from established figures.
Question
Will the Government act on recommendation 19 to support vulnerable families facing disadvantage and discrimination?
Minister reply
The minister committed to considering local authority roles in supporting disadvantaged families, acknowledging past efforts during the pandemic. She noted a full response would be provided later.
Clapham and Brixton Hill
Question
Can the minister explain how she plans to proceed with a report so widely rejected by those affected, especially regarding maternal health disparities?
Minister reply
The minister defended the report's reception from various organisations. She pointed out that while disparities exist in maternal mortality rates, the statistics cited are often misunderstood and highlighted government efforts to improve maternal health.
Question
Will the Government include policies to tackle racism at work alongside addressing economic inequality?
Minister reply
The minister committed to considering recommendations from both public and private sectors in their response, acknowledging everyone has a role to play in addressing such issues.
Andrew Slaughter
Lab
Hammersmith and Chiswick
Question
The commission’s chair says that it found no evidence in Britain of institutional racism. How does the Minister for Equalities square that with the policy of holiday park operator Pontins to ban Gypsies and Travellers from its premises?
Minister reply
The commission looked at specific areas; it did not examine Pontins. It did not say there is no institutional racism in Britain, but rather about the areas it looked at. No business should discriminate against people on the basis of ethnicity or background.
Question
May I thank my hon. Friend for reaching out after a threat received? What will be done to measure success and provide regular updates?
Minister reply
This is part of the equality hub's ethos: there is no point in enacting policy without checking its success. The Government will establish mechanisms to measure the success of measures and provide regular updates.
Florence Eshalomi
Lab Co-op
Vauxhall and Camberwell Green
Question
The commission focuses on educational experience, but degree classifications for black and minority ethnic students are much lower. Will the Minister look at this issue?
Minister reply
The report highlights disparities in higher education where black students are less likely to go to prestigious universities and more likely to attend low tariff institutions. The Minister encourages colleagues from the Department for Education to explore this further.
David Simmonds
Con
Ruislip, Northwood and Pinner
Question
Will my hon. Friend engage with her Home Office colleagues to develop proposals to build on the good work to make local police forces more representative of communities?
Minister reply
Yes, trust and fairness are key issues for ethnic minority communities in policing. The Minister’s colleague is already engaging with the commission to discuss recommendations.
Janet Daby
Lab
Lewisham East
Question
[Inaudible.]
Minister reply
The minister did not hear most of the question and suggests writing to her for a comprehensive response.
Question
Does my hon. Friend agree that, because children’s commissioner and Royal College of Physicians welcomed recommendations, it is clear that the commission was motivated by outcomes rather than outrage?
Minister reply
Absolutely. The report adopted an approach driven by better outcomes for all, not just process.
Kim Johnson
Lab
Liverpool Riverside
Question
Is it common sense to ignore difficult parts of history and withdraw funding from charitable organisations highlighting institutional racism? Is that divisive rhetoric?
Minister reply
It is interesting the hon. Lady raises this point, but the Runnymede Trust has implied the EHRC should be defunded.
Question
May I commend the Minister for her appearance today? Will she ensure that recommendations in the Sewell report are brought forward as part of the Government’s levelling-up agenda?
Minister reply
The report acknowledges disadvantage experienced by many white working class boys and geographical disparities. The Government will consider the report's recommendations and look forward to publishing their full response.
Shadow Comment
Marsha de Cordova
Shadow Comment
The shadow spokesperson criticised the report, arguing it is incoherent, divisive, and downplays institutional racism. She highlighted data showing higher unemployment rates for black people and maternal mortality risks for black women, questioning how these disparities can be dismissed as unimportant by the report. The spokesperson also noted the significant cuts to EHRC funding under the current government and called on the minister to reject the report in favour of implementing recommendations from previous reviews such as those by Timpson, McGregor-Smith, Williams, Angiolini, and Lammy.
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