Labor reaffirms commitment to tackling structural racism amid disparities | Work

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Labor has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling structural racism after new analysis showed black households are five times more likely to struggle to pay their energy bills.

Black and minority ethnic people were already 2.5 times more likely to be in relative poverty and 2.2 times more likely to live in extreme poverty (defined as having an income more than 50% below the poverty line). relative poverty) than their white counterparts, regardless of status. the energy crisis, according to figures from the Office for National Statistics.

Labor analysis found that black households are also four times more likely to be behind on rent or mortgage payments than white adults. On top of that, more than two-thirds of black adults struggle to pay their energy bills, compared to 45% of all adults; and 21% of black adults reporting being in arrears, compared to 5% of all adults.

The cost of living crisis has disproportionately affected low-income households who often spend a larger share of their income on fuel and food. While inflation hit a 41-year high of 11.1% in October after Liz Truss’ mini-budget, average after-tax household income fell 4.3%, the biggest drop on record.

Rishi Sunak and Chancellor Jeremy Hunt spent the days leading up to the fall budget arguing that those with the broadest shoulders would pay their fair share. Hunt pledged to protect the most vulnerable in society amid the worst decline in living standards on record.

But Labor said black families have been left alone to face an immense mental and physical toll to keep a roof over their heads this winter. Shadow Women and Equality Secretary Anneliese Dodds said: The Tories have wrecked the economy and as usual they have failed to take responsibility for fixing it.

The mental and physical toll of people unable to heat their homes or keep a roof over their heads is staggering and especially intense for black families.

The Labor Party has a long-term plan to tackle the structural racism that scars our society and makes things worse for blacks, Asians and ethnic minorities, through our Race Equality Act. And while the Tories are failing to get this acute winter crisis under control, we have practical, common-sense policies to help people with the cost of living, including insulating homes and helping pay for babysitting and broadband.

It comes after the New Economics Foundation warned that black, Asian and other ethnic minority households would experience an increase in the cost of living, 1.6 times higher than their white counterparts, as low-income or precarious people are often forced into more expensive arrangements such as prepayment. meters, more expensive credit, or the inability to buy everyday consumer goods like bulk food.

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Labor is committed to tackling structural racism across society, with the party saying earlier this year that structural barriers facing BAME groups make them more vulnerable to the cost of living crisis as it has revealed that four out of five black households have less than $1,500 in savings.

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