Commenting on figures released today (Thursday) by the Office for National Statistics showing disproportionately high Covid-19 death rates for Black people, UNISON assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said:

“Time and again, we’ve seen how people from black and minority ethnic (BAME) communities suffer health problems caused by disadvantage and poverty, which could make them more susceptible.

“Tackling the causes of these social issues is long overdue.

“Organisations and employers must also look at whether staff from these communities are concentrated in higher risk job roles, often lacking safety equipment, and action taken ​urgently to address this.”