The impact of COVID-19 on BAME communities

That this Council notes:

(a) The first NHS England report into COVID-19, which found that compared to white people, people of Black and Asian ethnic origin were found to be at a higher risk of death from coronavirus.

(b) The second NHS England report into understanding the impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups which found:

• Individuals from BAME groups are more likely to work in occupations with a higher risk of COVID-19 exposure.
• They are more likely to use public transportation to travel to their essential work.
• Historic racism and poorer experiences of healthcare or at work may mean that individuals in BAME groups are less likely to seek care when needed or as NHS staff are less likely to speak up when they have concerns about Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) or risk.

(c) In some BAME communities, households may be disproportionately hit by the pandemic economically, for instance if members of the household are carers or are self-employed. This may lead to BAME workers having to continue to work in jobs that are higher risk.

(d) The Milton Keynes Local Outbreak Control Plan, which acknowledges the disparities of COVID-19 in BAME groups and aims to reduce those inequalities and protect vulnerable groups.

That this Council resolves to:

• 1. request that Cabinet consider implementing the recommendations from the Public Heath England report ‘Beyond the data: Understanding the impact of COVID-19 on BAME groups’ where possible and appropriate.
• 2. request that Cabinet to consider investigating whether there is a need for extra support for BAME communities as part of the COVID-19 Recovery Strategy, undertaking a more targeted, specific response.
• 3. Write to the two Milton Keynes MPs, asking they acknowledge the two Public Health England reports and hold the Conservative government to implementing the recommendations.