We must work together to combat racism and discrimination

We stand with the #BlackLivesMatter movement, and the fight against racism. Every day we see the devastating impact of discriminatory policies and practice.

The ‘hostile environment’ has led to serious discrimination that harms migrants. It stops many people from meeting their basic needs - they face barriers in accessing housing, schools, healthcare, advice and justice.

Covid19 has a disproportionate impact on BAME people, as Public Health England reports. In our frontline services we see many people deliberately excluded from government safety nets and living with No Recourse to Public Funds. They are living in unsafe environments, and making decisions everyday on whether to feed their families or put themselves at risk. Many are frightened to seek medical help for fear of being reported to the Home Office.

Photo Credit: Johnny Silvercloud

The Windrush Scandal revealed Black Britons being wrongly detained, denied legal rights and deported by the Home Office. The ‘Windrush Lessons Learned Review’, released in March, concluded that the government showed “institutional ignorance and thoughtlessness towards the issue of race”. Thousands are still awaiting justice and compensation.

This must end. We must learn. We must listen. And we must work together to combat racism and discrimination.