The disproportionate toll of COVID-19 on people from BAME groups is extremely alarming.

My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I have written to the Prime Minister to express our grave concern at the disproportionate toll of COVID-19 on people from black, Asian and minority ethnicity (BAME) backgrounds and are urging the government to take urgent action now to address this.

Whilst we welcome the Government’s report into the impact of the coronavirus on BAME people, there must be full scrutiny of this process by MPs right across the political spectrum.

That is why we continue to call for a cross-party taskforce to oversee the review process and monitor the roll out of measures required to tackle this issue.

Further immediate action must also be taken to support BAME people vulnerable to and facing this crisis now:

Safety at Work

Around two thirds of healthcare staff who have died are from a BAME background whereas they make up 20% of the overall workforce.

People from BAME groups make up a significant percentage of those on the frontline. Their protection is paramount, yet the shortfalls in personal protective equipment and access to testing during this crisis have, at times, been shocking.

Around two thirds of healthcare staff who have died are from a BAME background whereas they make up 20% of the overall workforce.

Adequate PPE equipment, in line with WHO standards, must be provided to prevent coronavirus outbreaks among NHS workers in wards treating COVID-19 cases, those treating other conditions, and for care workers, both in care homes and those providing domiciliary care.

Today, I had a meeting with @cajardineMP @thedoctorkhan of the @LDCRE1 & Parliamentary staff to discuss what we’re going to do about the disproportionately high incidence of #BAME deaths from #COVID19
Action has to be taken to protect BAME workers, schoolchildren, NHS staff pic.twitter.com/f3P8bJTSGj

— Isabelle Parasram (@IsabelleParasra) May 13, 2020

The Government must also ensure that all risk assessments by employers include an Equality Impact Assessment considering the higher risk for BAME people in general and BAME people with additional vulnerabilities specifically.

At the same time, the Government’s recent announcements around the return of “those who cannot work from home” to their workplaces is putting BAME individuals at disproportionate risk.

That’s why we are urging the government to work closely with relevant authorities and the necessary resources to prevent overcrowding on public transport and to provide alternative means of transport to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all commuters.

Safety in Schools

The Government must review the proposed ‘Back to School’ plan with regards to BAME children

The Government has failed to consult with school leaders, teachers, and unions on the details of its guidance for reopening schools, and that’s just not good enough.

Current communications from the Government on schools do not recognise the specific risks that BAME children may be exposed to, nor how this can be managed.

That’s why we are urging the Government to review the proposed ‘Back to School’ plan with regards to BAME children who may be exposed to the virus and transmit it either at home to their families or to BAME teachers and other school staff.

We are also calling on the Government to publish all scientific advice it has received on this, and for a guarantee that all children, of all ages, will be given the equipment and funding to learn safely, either at home or in school.

Research

Further research into why BAME people are so disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 is needed as a priority

Researchers working on behalf of NHS England analysed the NHSX data of over 17.4 million adults in the UK and found that, compared to white people, BAME people were at a higher risk of death from COVID-19.

Further research into why BAME people are so disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 is needed as a priority in the long-term to ensure an effective response to the coronavirus crisis.

We are urging the Government to work to support such endeavours.

The coronavirus crisis is an unprecedented threat. We must all work together to ensure there are no blindspots in the UK’s response to this crisis.

In the week since the death of George Floyd in the United States, the grief and anger of black communities in the US and closer to home has been clear.

The Liberal Democrats extend our solidarity to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Protests against the killing of black people by police have erupted everywhere from Floyd’s home state of Minneapolis, USA, to the UK, Japan, and New Zealand. The world knows George Floyd’s name, and his death has fuelled a movement to end police violence against black people.

The Liberal Democrats exist to fight for justice, liberty and equality. We are living through a moment in history where our values are challenged, and as liberals we stand on the side of social justice. We must stand in solidarity with black communities in the US and around the world.

Just as we have a moral obligation to speak out against the injustice we’re witnessing in the US, we also can’t ignore the failings here in the UK. In the UK 26% of instances of police using firearms are against black people, despite black people making up only 3.3% of the population. 51% of young men in custody in the UK are from black, Asian or minority ethnic backgrounds, despite these groups making up only 14% of the UK population. The 2017 Lammy Report concluded that “BAME individuals still face bias, including overt discrimination, in parts of the justice system”. More recently, we’ve seen that BAME people are 54% more likely than white people to be fined under the new coronavirus lockdown laws.

BAME people are 54% more likely than white people to be fined under the new coronavirus lockdown laws.

Black people are suffering at the hands of institutions systematically biased against them. It’s unjust. It’s unfair. It’s racist. The Liberal Democrats extend our solidarity to the Black Lives Matter movement. We fully support black communities in the UK and abroad, and stand with them against the injustice they face.

George Floyd cannot be just another name. This fight needs to make a real change, and the Liberal Democrats will support the movement to bring justice and equality for black communities. Black Lives Matter.

The Black Lives Matters protests will hopefully bring about change, but will also inevitably bring trauma, grief and hurt. The social media feeds we’re all becoming so reliant on in coronavirus lockdown are flooded with videos and stories of police brutality against black people. These are hard to witness, especially for other black people, and it might feel like there is no escape. These feelings are completely valid, and there are mental health resources out there to help:

Free therapy from the Black, African and Asian Therapy Network

Mental health charity, MIND’s resources

NHS Mental Health resources

Access to the Samaritans

Join the Liberal Democrat Campaign for Race Equality here: https://ldcre.org.uk/en/

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/LDCRE1

With social-distancing rules relaxing in England we are able to start delivering leaflets again, and we want to help people do that.

That’s why the LDHQ Campaigns & Elections Team have now produced a Coronavirus Focus template for seats in England – find the answer to all your questions below.

If you would like to take advantage of the bulk buy print deal or the Royal Mail paid delivery option, you need to complete this form by 5pm, Friday 5th June.

Print deal – Indicative Quotes, Deadlines & FAQs 

5,000 x 1 kind  £ 190.00

10,000 x 1 kind  £ 330.00

15,000 x 1 kind  £ 440.00

20,000 x 1 kind  £ 550.00

30,000 x 1 kind  £ 750.00

40,000 x 1 kind  £ 970.00

50,000 x 1 kind  £ 1250.00

60,000 x 1 kind £ 1450.00

70,000 x 1 kind £ 1650.00

80,000 x 1 kind £ 1850.00

220,000 x 1 kind  £5,300.00

300,000 x 1 kind  £6,950.00

No VAT is applicable to these prices.

There will be an additional cost for delivering to RM Door to Door of £50.00 on volumes below 40k. £ 75.00 on volumes between 40k and 80k. £ 125.00 on volumes 220k and 300k.

Who will design my leaflet? You will need to adapt the template yourself

When do I need to submit my Artwork by? Monday 8th June, 5pm

How do I submit my Artwork? We are using Park Communications that use an online platform for submission – 

https://transfer.parkcom.co.uk

Login ID:     ftp-libdem

Password:       cx6pwyod

You must ensure your PDF size is 303mm deep x 426mm wide which will ensure the correct bleed.

Royal Mail paid delivery deal – Indicative Quotes, Deadlines & FAQs

Volumes of up to 25,000: flat rate of £69.99 per ‘000
Volumes between 25,001 and 100,000: flat rate of £63.68 per ‘000
Volume between 100,001 and 200,000: flat rate of £59.48 per ‘000
Volumes between 200,001 and 500,000 the Door to Door price is calculated based on the household density of each post sector, but as an average it works out at approx. £57.39 per ‘000

What’s Royal Mail Door to Door? It’s an unaddressed delivery service provided by Royal Mail, find out more here: https://www.royalmail.com/business/marketing/mail/door-to-door 

When do I need to submit my Postcode Sectors by? Monday 8th June, 5pm

When do I need to complete the booking form and make payment by? Friday 12th June, 3pm 

Who is the Royal Mail contact? Stefan Mills – stefan.mills@marketreach.co.uk – you will need to request a booking form from him – he will guide you through the process and ensure you get the best deal.

How do I find Postcode Sectors? 

A Postcode Sector consists of the first part of a postcode, and the number at the front of the second part of a post code. For example, the postcode “SW1A 0AA”, is in the postcode sector “SW1A 0.” 

If you want a list in Connect of only individuals of a certain Postcode Sector, you can go to the “Addresses” field of Create a List, and type the Postcode Sector into the “Postcode” field. 

Alternatively, you can add the Postal Sector as a field on a Standard Text export in Connect by selecting “Customize Export” when exporting a list, to see all Postcode sectors contained in a mailing list.

Anything I should be aware of? Please note the prices quoted are for standard postcode-sectors, if you require bespoke measures to ward level or to an exact constituency, the price will increase significantly as some items would be addressed.

Literature will begin to land in seats from Monday 22nd June for Royal Mail and Friday 19th June  for hand-delivery.

Once you have completed your order you will be sent an email with more information about next steps, including artwork upload.
If you have any further questions please contact campaigners@libdems.org.uk

We cannot allow coronavirus to blind us to the injustice that is unfolding on Hong Kong.

Beijing’s new national security law is a naked power-grab. It bypasses Hong Kong local law-making processes and demonstrates a complete lack of respect for the Joint Declaration. Clearly China no longer cares for the ‘one country, two systems’ agreement made between the UK and China during the Handover.

I would like to send warm wishes to Muslims in the UK and around the world celebrating Eid al-Fitr.

Eid marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan – a month of prayer, personal reflection, and self-denial.

I’m sure that this Ramadan must have felt unusual and I know that observing a socially distanced Eid will not be easy either.

I’m sure that this Ramadan must have felt unusual and I know that observing a socially distanced Eid will not be easy either.

This year, I joined some of our MPs and party members in fasting for one day of Ramadan and this culminated in a Lib Dem Iftar – the first for our party. The fast was challenging at times, but I’m so proud that we were able to do this one small act as a symbol of our solidarity with British Muslims at this time.

I want to thank the doctors and nurses who have sacrificed their lives in the battle against COVID-19. We will always remember them, and we must never forget that many of them were British Muslims. A thorough investigation into why BAME communities have been disproportionately impacted by this virus is needed now more than ever.

Of course, Eid is known as “the Festival of the Breaking of the Fast”. It’s usually a time to come together with loved ones to enjoy festive meals and share gifts but instead, people will remain isolated in their homes, going out only for essential food and brief periods of exercise. Though this will be tough, I’m sure that the sacrifices we all make now will reduce the impact of this virus.

So to everyone celebrating Eid, I wish you joy and peace. Eid Mubarak!