People's Health Trust has joined more than 100 organisations to call on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to commit to a national anti-racism strategy.
The letter, coordinated by Runnymede Trust, highlights concerns about rising levels of racism, hate crime and division and calls for a cross-government approach to address racial inequality. It urges the Government to develop and implement an anti-racism strategy in partnership with organisations working directly alongside communities experiencing racism and racist violence.
The 120 signatories state that racism continues to affect people's experiences and outcomes across areas including health, housing, education, employment and the criminal justice system, and that sustained action is needed to address these inequalities.
The letter highlights that too many people now feel unsafe following the racist riots of summer 2024, echoing findings from People's Health Trust's Standing Together report, which spotlighted the significant impacts on people's mental health, wellbeing and sense of safety, including reports of hypervigilance, higher rates of anxiety, chronic stress and fear of accessing public spaces with women and girls and young people worst affected.
By backing this letter, People's Health Trust is joining calls for stronger and more coordinated action to tackle racial inequalities and create healthier, more equitable communities across the UK.
Read the full letter on the Runnymede Trust website.
People’s Health Trust Chief Executive, John Hume, said:
"We know that racism has a hugely damaging impact on people's health, wellbeing and life chances. Racial inequalities continue to shape people's experiences across many areas of life, including housing, employment, education and access to opportunities that support improved health.
“Lasting change requires us all to address the root causes of inequality and take action to tackle the systems and structures that contribute to unequal outcomes for racialised communities. It means working alongside people already facing inequality, discrimination and disinvestment to create healthier and fairer places to live.
“A national anti-racism strategy would provide the Government with an opportunity to take a more coordinated approach, working with communities and third sector organisations to address the root causes of racial inequality and help make a real difference to generations of people."