The UK's Opposition Labour Party on Friday announced a review into the disproportionate impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the country's minority ethnic populations, including those of Indian-origin.
Labour Party Leader Keir Starmer hosted a digital roundtable alongside ministers from his shadow cabinet and representatives from Britain's minorities communities to kick-start the process of analysing the factors behind black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) groups being more likely to be admitted for intensive care and die from Covid-19.
“It is extremely concerning to see the disproportionate toll coronavirus is taking on our BAME communities. We cannot afford to treat this as an issue to investigate once the crisis is over. We must address it now,” said Starmer. “In the face of this national emergency, Labour will continue to work constructively with the government. That includes shining a light on issues where it is clear more detailed understanding is needed,” he said. The Opposition's review follows the UK government's announcement that Public Health England would be leading an investigation into the factors behind the higher death rates and more severe symptoms of the coronavirus among Indian and other ethnic minority communities in the country.