The figures suggesting that people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds are at greater risk of becoming seriously ill with Covid-19 are extremely concerning and trouble me greatly. The disproportionate impact has been recognised by my colleagues in government and Public Health England was commissioned to conduct thorough research into the matter and has now published its report and I await the Department for Health and Social Care's response as soon as possible. In the wake of the report, PHE been commissioned to carry out further work to better understand the key drivers of the disparities identified in the initial report and the relationships between the different risk factors. I note Ministers have said PHE has been engaging with a significant number of individuals and organisations from BAME backgrounds over the past couple of months to hear their views and this will be built on.