Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: BAME and Working-class Communities

Wednesday 6 May 2020 · 1 question

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

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 0 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Chi Onwurah asked about the higher coronavirus mortality rate in the most deprived areas compared to the least deprived areas.
  • The Government requested Public Health England to review covid-19 outcomes among different groups.
  • The government acknowledged concern over disproportionately high death rates in deprived areas.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Chi Onwurah Lab Newcastle Central
NHS Economy Benefits & Welfare
Context

Covid-19 has had a significant impact on various communities, particularly BAME and those from lower-income backgrounds.

Question

According to ONS figures, the coronavirus mortality rate in the most deprived areas is more than twice that of least deprived areas. Those on lower incomes are also more likely to be in frontline occupations and infection rates in the north-east are the highest in the country. What specific measures is the Minister taking to address this disproportionate impact?

Answer from Kemi Badenoch (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The Government has asked Public Health England to review covid-19 outcomes among different groups. The hon. Member is right, we are increasingly concerned about deaths in deprived areas which were more than twice as high. We have taken measures such as protecting incomes and jobs, supporting businesses, and looking at universal credit and statutory sick pay to ensure communities are protected from adverse impacts of lockdown.

Answered
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