LOOK AFTER ETHNIC MINORITIES

Dr Zubaida Haque, deputy director of race equality group the Runnymede Trust, accused the Government of not considering ethnic minority and immigrant groups in Covid-19 planning.

She said: “Minorities are much more likely to be poor and in insecure jobs, and much more likely to live in poor conditions and overcrowded houses.

“If those people are at the brink of poverty or have lost jobs, do they have a sufficient safety net? The anecdotal evidence is they haven’t. Government hasn’t really considered them.”

The trust also wants the suspension of the rule barring new immigrants and asylum seekers from getting benefits, particularly as they now cannot leave.

GOVERNMENT’S POSITION:

Downing Street has ordered a study into why minorities are at greater risk from Covid-19. No extra financial help and no waiving of “no recourse to public funds” for new arrivals.