The initiative, introduced through a 10-minute rule motion by Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde, seeks to revise ethnicity classifications for the 2031 population count. During the 2021 census, forms in England restricted the "English" option entirely to the white category, requiring others to manually type their identities into a text box. In contrast, census questionnaires distributed in Scotland and Wales previously included broader categories such as Scottish Asian and Black Welsh. Detailed questions for England and Wales will ultimately depend on recommendations from the Office for National Statistics and subsequent legislation.
Key points
Cross-party politicians including David Lammy and Sir James Cleverly have backed the prop…: Cross-party politicians including David Lammy and Sir James Cleverly have backed the proposed census changes.
Final questions on future census forms require formal legislation based on guidance from…: Final questions on future census forms require formal legislation based on guidance from the Office for National Statistics.
The government has not yet confirmed whether it will grant parliamentary time to debate t…: The government has not yet confirmed whether it will grant parliamentary time to debate the draft law.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
- Published
Andy Burnham has signalled his support for dedicated options at the next census to allow people to define themselves as black English or Asian English.
It comes after Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde called for legislation to widen ethnicity options for respondents at the next population count, due in 2031.
The last census, held in 2021, saw English offered within a broader white category, but without specific options for black English or Asian English.
Asked at Prime Minister's Questions whether he would support Babarinde's proposal, Burnham said he had not seen details of the plan.
But he added: "I stand here thinking that I would want to support that bill, to directly take on the poisonous politics we've seen from some in this House".
"We must bring people back together. I am interested in working with anyone in this House who shares that aim," he added.
Burnham did not respond to a follow-up question from Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey about whether he would meet Babarinde to discuss his plan, and he did not specify whether the…
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