Hello,

Welcome to the latest round-up of news from the Race Disparity Unit (RDU).

New and updated pages

• Pay and income: Persistent low income, Household income, Sources of household income, State support
• Higher education: First year entrants onto undergraduate study, First year entrants onto postgraduate study, Undergraduate degree results

August highlights

RDU presents COVID-19 disparities paper at international conference

RDU analysts published and presented a paper (PDF) at the 36th International Association for Research in Income and Wealth (IARIW) virtual general conference. The paper collates analysis, data and research from public bodies and academics to understand the impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minorities in England.

The paper follows the hypothesis that the excess risk ethnic minorities have of dying from COVID-19 is driven by socio-economic factors.

RDU's COVID-19 disparities work shortlisted for ONS award

The RDU has been nominated for the People’s Choice Award in this year’s Office for National Statistics (ONS) Research Excellence Awards.

According to the awards website, "the synthesis analysis of RDU led to a series of government interventions to protect ethnic minorities from infection and mortality from COVID-19, such as the recording of ethnicity on death certificates".

You can see the full shortlist and cast your vote on the awards website. Voting closes at 11.55pm on Friday 10 September. Results will be announced on Wednesday 13 October.

First G20 conference on women's empowerment

The Minister for Equalities, Kemi Badenoch, represented the UK at the G20 summit on women’s empowerment, which took place in Italy on 26 August.

The minister met with G20 counterparts and other partners, including the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, with topics ranging from Afghanistan to climate action and online safety.

The National Disability Strategy launches

The Disability Unit supported the publication of the government's National Disability Strategy, led by Minister for Disabled People, Health and Work, Justin Tomlinson.

The strategy sets out the immediate commitments to improving disabled people's lives, including plans to include disabled people in policymaking and service delivery, and a summary of actions each government department will take.