Lee Anderson has hit out at the Labour Party for saying “structural racism” means that black households will be bearing the brunt of the cost-of-living crisis this winter.
An analysis by Labour of Office for National Statistics (ONS) data found that over two thirds of black adults (69 per cent) are finding it difficult to afford their energy bills, compared with under half of all adults (45 per cent).
It said one in five black adults (21 per cent) are saying they are behind on payments, compared with 5% of all adults.
The analysis also found that half (52 per cent) of black adults reported finding it difficult to afford their rent or mortgage compared to under a third (30 per cent) of all adults, with 9 per cent of black adults being behind on their payments, compared to 3 per cent of all adults.
Anneliese Dodds said that Labour had a “long-term plan” to tackle the “structural racism that scars our society”.
She said: “Labour has a long-term plan to tackle the structural racism that scars our society and leaves black, Asian and minority ethnic people worse off, through our Race Equality Act.
“And while the Conservatives fail to get a grip on this acute winter crisis we have practical, common-sense policies to help people with the cost of living, including by insulating homes and helping with the cost of childcare and broadband.”
Lee Anderson joined Patrick Christys on GB News
GB News
Responding, Lee Anderson slammed the Labour Party and the hypocrisy of Dodds’ comments, asking when the last time the party had a female or asian leader.
“One could argue that structural racism is rife in the Labor Party and Sexism. When was the last time Labour Party had a female leader or an Asian leader?
“They bang on about structural racism, they need to look at their own party first. I mean there's not much to racial diversity there [on Sir Keir Starmer’s front bench].
“They need to stop talking about it. I always say this, 99 per cent of the population and the doors I knock on, this never comes up.
“This is nonsense, this is rubbish. People are concerned about the fuel bills, et cetera. Of course they are. But using the racism card is pathetic, it’s poor.”
Anneliese Dodds said structural racism is scarring the UK
Victoria Jones