This series of briefings address significant issues that are emerging in the UK as a result of Covid-19 that impact on the work of community investment. In each one, we have brought together available evidence to help you think about and plan future strategies and how resources can be directed. This briefing covers BAME communities.

Early data showed that BAME people made up over a third of those admitted into intensive care following the outbreak of the virus.

Housing has been a major cause of this. BAME people are more likely to live in overcrowded homes, increasing risk of transmission and making self-isolation difficult. 30% of Bangladeshi, 16% of Pakistani and 12% of black households experience overcrowding. The figure for white British households is 2%.

BAME communities have also suffered from the economic impacts of the pandemic disproportionately. In the early months of the pandemic employment for BAME people fell 4.6%, compared to 1.7% for non-BAME people. BAME people are also less likely to have been put on the government’s furlough scheme.