Race report is not an excuse for shameful inaction

 

Responding to the report of the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, published this week, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Equalities Wera Hobhouse MP commented: “As the Black Lives Matter protests highlighted so powerfully, too many people’s lives both in the UK and across the world are blighted by discrimination, inequality and injustice. It is unacceptable. “There is still so much to do to tackle racial injustice in our country, from the shocking number of Black and Asian children in poverty, to the over-representation of Black and mixed-race people in prison, to the courts and corporate boards still dominated by white people, to the disproportionate impact of Covid on ethnic minority communities. “Conservative Ministers must not use this report as an excuse to continue their shameful inaction on these issues. They should start by abolishing their discriminatory Hostile Environment immigration policies, ending the disproportionate use of Stop and Search, and developing a proper Race Equality Strategy. “The Liberal Democrats will continue the urgent fight to tackle all forms of racial injustice and inequality throughout our society. Everyone should have the chance to get on in life, free from discrimination and with their rights and dignity respected.” ENDS