Far-right rally and ministerial response highlight urgent need for equity action

We applaud the recent intervention from Wes Streeting, made in direct response to last weekend’s far-right rally in London, in which the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care told NHS England’s LGBT+ health conference that “the rising tide of racism and homophobia” cannot be excused as free speech.

At National Voices we are committed to challenging inequality and discrimination, whether in health and social care, in the VCSE sector, or in society at large. 

For more information about the links between racist violence and community health and wellbeing, we strongly recommend this report from the People’s Health Trust on the health impacts of last year’s race riots on affected communities.

Jacob Lant, Chief Executive of National Voices, said: “It was important, after last weekend’s march in London, to see an MP of Wes Streeting’s standing calling out the protests and their impact on marginalised communities. Addressing inequalities will also be an unwavering focus of National Voices. Strategically, this translates into ensuring equity in health and care services; culturally, it means we will always recognise and celebrate the value and joy that diversity brings to all our lives.”