Coronavirus: Equalities watchdog to launch probe into ‘entrenched racial inequalities’ laid bare by pandemic

Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The equalities watchdog will launch a statutory inquiry into the “entrenched racial inequalities” laid bare by the coronavirus pandemic in the UK. Marsha de Cordova, the shadow women and equalities secretary, said: “The coronavirus crisis has shone a light on these inequalities, but the government has consistently failed to take action to save Bame people’s lives during this pandemic. “We must seize this opportunity to identify and tackle the underlying causes and end the racism that’s blighted so many people’s lives.” Equalities minister Kemi Badenoch said she was working with the government’s race disparity unit to make recommendations on the PHE report but hit back at claims from Labour that ethnic minorities were more likely to die due to “systemic injustice”. “That is why I am now taking this work forward, which will enable us to make a real difference to people’s lives and protect our communities from the impact of the coronavirus.” The row over the disproportionate impact of coronavirus on black and ethnic minorities came as protests took place across the UK following the death of George Floyd in the US at the hands of a white police officer.