Skip to content 
Search

Latest Stories

Many organisations and individuals credited in UK race review now 'distance themselves' from findings

Many organisations and individuals credited in UK race review now 'distance themselves' from findings

AT LEAST 20 organisations and individuals credited in UK race review have now distanced themselves from the report and its findings alleging that the commission ignored their testimonies.

The report by the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, released at the end of March, concluded that while racism and racial injustice still exist, geography, family influence, socioeconomic background, culture and religion all have a greater impact on life chances.


It was widely condemned by MPs, unions and equality campaigners as 'divisive' and a missed opportunity for systematic change, reported c.

The 258-page report notes that the commission heard evidence from a number of organisations and individuals during the course of its work and it thanked them for their participation in an appendix.

Those who have distanced themselves from the report include, NHS trusts, professional bodies, frontline workers, police forces, federations and frontline officers, charities, not-for-profit organisations, academic institutions and bodies, schools and individuals.

The British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin signed an open letter saying healthcare professionals were 'dismayed' by the report, which it said used 'inflammatory' language, The Guardian report added

The Labour MP David Lammy accused the prime minister of 'standing in the way' of young people who want to end racial inequality.

Marsha de Cordova, the shadow minister for women and equalities, said: “To downplay institutional racism in a pandemic where black, Asian and ethnic minority people have died disproportionately and are now twice as likely to be unemployed is an insult.”

The National Black Police Association accused the commission of constructing 'a politicised and deliberate narrative aimed at undermining lived experiences, racial equality thought and racial equality movements.'

Race Council Cymru and National BAME Youth Forum Wales said they were 'appalled' to see themselves referenced in the report as stakeholders.

"The report has missed a powerful opportunity to acknowledge and reflect the very tangible lived experiences of so many young people across the country," said UK Youth.

According to Youth Futures Foundation, culture and the role of family alone cannot explain the existence of disparities.

Stephen Bourne, a historian on black British history, said he was horrified to see his name listed and was unaware that a meeting he attended during Black History Month had anything to do with the report.

Simon Woolley, who was head of No 10’s race disparity unit until last summer, has criticised the commission for disrespecting and disregarding people’s lived experiences.

Black Young Professionals Network said: “Considering (the commission) has delivered the opposite of what they promised, we do not co-sign the report and do not wish to be thanked.”

Sir Simon Wessely, the chair of the government-commissioned independent review of the Mental Health Act, termed the report as 'another wasted opportunity”.

The King’s Fund thinktank clarified that it was never tasked to produce research specifically for the commission.

“The commission has examined the evidence and data to come up with solutions that are based on the facts. The commission engaged both directly and indirectly with thousands of researchers, analysts, stakeholders and members of the public to inform this comprehensive report. We have thanked them as a courtesy," a spokesperson for the commission told The Guardian.

More For You

Rajnath Singh

The council that approved the initiation of procurement for arms and equipment is headed by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh. (Photo: Reuters)

Reuters

India starts process to procure arms worth $12.31 billion

INDIA’s Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) has approved the initiation of procurement for arms and equipment worth $12.31 billion (£9.05 billion), the defence ministry said on Thursday.

The council is headed by India's Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.

Keep ReadingShow less
uk weather

Forecasts indicate that the weekend will be unsettled

Getty Images

Cooler conditions bring relief as UK heatwave ends

Key points

  • UK's second heatwave of 2025 ends with cooler temperatures setting in.
  • Tuesday recorded the year’s highest temperature at 34.7°C in London.
  • No return to heatwave conditions forecast for early July.
  • Showers expected in parts of Scotland and Northern Ireland, with drier weather ahead.

UK heatwave fades as cooler weather returns

Following a stretch of record-breaking heat, the UK has now entered a cooler phase, with no heatwave conditions forecast for the first half of July. This change comes after Tuesday became the hottest day of the year so far, with 34.7°C recorded in London’s St James’s Park.

However, the high temperatures that marked the start of July have now given way to more comfortable conditions. In many parts of the country, temperatures have dropped by more than 10°C, bringing relief from the extreme heat.

Keep ReadingShow less
Families slam Hancock's 'insulting' care home defence at Covid inquiry

Matt Hancock arrives ahead of his latest appearance before the Covid-19 Inquiry on July 02, 2025 in London, England.(Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images)

Families slam Hancock's 'insulting' care home defence at Covid inquiry

BEREAVED families have condemned former health secretary Matt Hancock as "insulting" and "full of excuses" after he defended the controversial policy of moving untested hospital patients into care homes during the early days of the Covid pandemic.

Speaking at the Covid-19 inquiry on Wednesday (2), Hancock described the decision to discharge patients into care homes as "the least-worst decision" available at the time, despite the devastating death toll that followed.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Getty

Starmer has said the NHS must 'reform or die' and promised changes that would control the rising costs of caring for an ageing population without increasing taxes. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Starmer outlines 10-year NHS reform strategy

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer will on Thursday launch a 10-year strategy aimed at fixing the National Health Service (NHS), which he said was in crisis. The plan seeks to ease the pressure on overstretched hospitals and shift care closer to people’s homes.

The NHS, which is publicly funded and state-run, has faced difficulties recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic. It continues to experience annual winter pressures, repeated waves of industrial action, and a long backlog for elective treatments.

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Reeves-Getty

Starmer and Reeves during a visit to Horiba Mira in Nuneaton, to mark the launch of the Government's Industrial Strategy on June 23, 2025 in Nuneaton. (Photo: Getty Images)

Getty Images

Reeves ‘going nowhere’, says Starmer after tears in parliament

PRIME MINISTER Keir Starmer on Wednesday said that Chancellor Rachel Reeves would remain in her role for “a very long time to come”, after she appeared visibly upset in parliament as questions were raised about her future.

Reeves was seen with tears rolling down her face during Prime Minister’s Questions, after Starmer did not confirm whether she would remain chancellor until the next general election, expected in 2029.

Keep ReadingShow less