Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to mitigate the effect of covid-19 for people (a) from BAME backgrounds and (b) who are obese; and if he will make a statement.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Equalities (Kemi Badenoch MP) will take forward work to fill the gaps in our understanding, review existing policies and develop new ones where needed. The Terms of Reference for that work can be found online.

Public Health England (PHE) has commissioned research to understand how weight management services have adapted, due to COVID-19, to support people living with obesity. It will explore how these services might need to adapt and flex in response to the recovery strategy, and what measures are required to facilitate this. PHE is also leading on a programme of work to support local areas to improve the environment that people live, work and play in. Through providing information and tools to enable local public health and planning teams to develop and promote healthy weight environments.