Asians elected as Fellows of The Academy of Medical Sciences

Asians elected as Fellows of
The   Academy   of   Medical
Sciences
Professor Neena Modi, Professor Muzlifah Haniffa, Professor
Subrata Ghosh and Professor Ziad Mallat are among 50 leading
biomedical and health scientists elected to The Academy of
Medical Sciences Fellowship. The new Fellows have been chosen
for their exceptional contributions to advancing biomedical
science via world-leading research discoveries, running
national science communication and engagement programmes and
translating scientific advances into benefits for patients and
the public.

The value of medical science has never been more apparent than
during the current coronavirus global health crisis. From
testing and vaccine development, to public health and
behavioural science, to addressing the impacts of lockdown
measures on mental health, biomedical and health scientists
are helping to guide the UK through unprecedented challenges.

Many of the Academy’s newly elected Fellows are at the
forefront of the efforts to tackle coronavirus, such as
Professor Menna Clatworthy FMedSci and Professor Muzlifah
Haniffa FMedSci who together are leading Human Cell Atlas
studies looking at why the novel coronavirus affects
individual people so differently. As the Director of the
Uganda Virus Research Institute, new Fellow Professor Pontiano
Kaleebu FMedSci has been at the forefront of Uganda’s fight
against the virus, leading on testing, evaluating new tests
and training Uganda’s laboratories to carry out this essential
work.

Several new Fellows have redirected their research efforts to
tackle the effects of the pandemic, such as Professor Ludovic

Vallier FMedSci, a stem cell expert, who has refocussed part
of his team to study the effects of coronavirus on the liver.
Professor Tamsin Ford CBE FMedSci, a Professor of Psychiatry,
has channelled her expertise into looking at mental health
impacts of the pandemic on children and young people. Some new
Fellows are using their expertise and leadership in other
ways, such as Professor Andy Waters FRSE FMedSci who has
loaned materials and infrastructure locally and is working
with international partners in Malawi to help with
preparedness – demonstrating the collaborative and ‘team
science’ nature that the Academy’s Fellowship strives to
embody. Others remain focused on important health challenges
that must continue to be addressed during the pandemic, or are
involved in efforts to ensure the UK will remain at the
forefront of science after the pandemic.

Professor Sir Robert Lechler PMedSci, President of the Academy
of Medical Sciences said:

“I am delighted to welcome these 50 new Fellows into the
Academy’s Fellowship. Each one has made their own outstanding
contribution to biomedical science, and together they are
advancing the health of our society in the UK and
internationally. Their work affects us all, from the way we
keep healthy through our lifestyle, to how we are treated if
we become ill, to the way we receive information about health.

“This year our new Fellows announcement happens amidst a
global health crisis. Some will face the challenge of how to
continue to lead on some of the most pressing health
challenges our society faces beyond coronavirus, such as heart
disease, diabetes or cancer. Others have joined the global
research effort to tackle the coronavirus pandemic, whether
that be through working out how to treat those with the virus,
joining efforts to develop a vaccine, or looking to limit the
impact of the pandemic more broadly on our physical and mental
health.

“Never has there been a more important time to recognise and
celebrate the people behind ground-breaking biomedical and
health research, working harder than ever to further knowledge
and protect patients and the public.

“It brings me great pleasure to congratulate the new Fellows,
and see our Fellowship grow to even greater heights of
evidence-based advice, leadership and expertise.”

Professor Neena Modi FMedSci, Professor of Neonatal Medicine,
Imperial College London, said:

“I was bowled over when I heard the wonderful news that I was
to be elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences.

“I work on the use of routine data in research to provide
faster patient benefits. I’m proud to have developed and lead
the UK National Neonatal Research Database, a unique resource
of real-world clinical data on all babies admitted to NHS
neonatal units. We have been busy with studies on the impact
of the coronavirus on pregnancy and new-born outcomes. The
information in the database will also be used to support
studies examining the safety and efficacy of coronavirus
vaccines and treatments in new-born babies.

“I have always been an admirer of the Academy’s public
engagement work and was delighted when the Academy produced a
report on data-driven technologies based on principles
developed by patients, the public and healthcare
professionals.

“I look forward to working with the Academy to help build a
brighter and better future after these tragic times. As
Fellows we can play an important role to place science at the
centre of health, wellbeing and sustainability for all.”

Full list of Fellows elected in 2020
(in alphabetical order by surname)

Professor Ibrahim Abubakar, Director, University College
London Institute for Global Health

Professor Robin Allshire FRS FRSE, Wellcome Principal Research
Fellow, Wellcome Centre for Cell Biology, University of
Edinburgh

Professor James Bainbridge, Professor of Retinal Studies, UCL
Institute of Ophthalmology

Dr Jeffrey Barrett, Chief Scientific Officer, Genomics PLC

Professor David Bennett, Professor of Neurology and
Neurobiology and Head of the Division of Neurology, University
of Oxford

Professor Peter Brown, Director of the Medical Research
Council Brain Network Dynamics Unit, University of Oxford

Professor Harry Campbell, Professor of Genetic Epidemiology
and Public Health, University of Edinburgh

Professor Lucy Chappell, NIHR Research            Professor   in
Obstetrics, King’s College London

Professor Menna Clatworthy FLSW, NIHR Research Professor and
Professor of Translational Immunology, University of Cambridge
and Associate Faculty, Wellcome Sanger Institute

Professor Charles Craddock CBE, Director of the Blood and
Marrow Transplant Unit and Professor of Haemato-oncology,
University of Birmingham

Professor Peter Cullen, Professor of Biochemistry and Wellcome
Trust Senior Investigator, University of Bristol

Professor Adnan Custovic, Professor of Paediatric Allergy,
National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London

Professor Paolo De Coppi, NIHR Professor of Paediatric
Surgery, Nuffield Professor of Paediatric Surgery and
Consultant Paediatric Surgeon, Great Ormond Street Hospital
for Children, and Head of the Stem Cells & Regenerative
Medicine Section, UCL Institute of Child Health

Professor Bart De Strooper, Director of the UK Dementia
Research Institute

Professor Stuart Elborn CBE, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Medicine,
Health and Life Sciences, Queen’s University Belfast

Dr Helen Firth, Consultant Clinical Geneticist, Cambridge
University Hospitals & Honorary Faculty Member, Wellcome
Sanger Institute

Professor Ervin Fodor, Professor of Virology, University of
Oxford

Professor Tamsin Ford CBE, Professor of Child and Adolescent
Psychiatry, University of Cambridge

Professor   Peter   Friend,   Professor   of   Transplantation,

University of Oxford

Dr Felicity Gabbay, Managing Partner, TransScrip LLP

Professor Subrata Ghosh, Director, Institute of Translational
Medicine, University of Birmingham

Professor Diana Gibb, Professor of Epidemiology and MRC Senior
Clinical Scientist, University College London

Professor Keith Godfrey, Professor of Epidemiology & Human
Development, University of Southampton

Professor Gerard Graham FRSE, Gardiner Chair of Immunology,
University of Glasgow

Professor   Timothy   Hallett,   Professor   of   Global   Health,
Imperial College London

Professor Sophie Hambleton, Professor of Paediatrics and
Immunology, Newcastle University

Professor Muzlifah Haniffa, Wellcome Trust Senior Research
Fellow in Clinical Science, Newcastle University, Associate
Faculty, Wellcome Sanger Institute

Dr Roger Highfield, Director of Science, Science Museum Group

Professor Oliver Howes, Professor of Molecular Psychiatry,
King’s College London, MRC Programme Leader, Imperial College
London and Consultant Psychiatrist, Maudsley Hospital, London

Professor Pontiano Kaleebu, Director, MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda
Research Unit and Director, Uganda Virus Research Institute

Dr Michael Lenardo OBE, Chief, Molecular Development of the
Immune System Section and Director, Clinical Genomics Program,
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, USA

Professor Alison Lloyd, Professor of Cell Biology, University
College London, and Director, MRC Laboratory for Molecular

Cell Biology

Professor Christine MacArthur, Professor of Maternal and Child
Epidemiology, University of Birmingham

Professor Ziad Mallat, Professor of Cardiovascular Medicine,
University of Cambridge

Professor Oscar Marín, Director, MRC Centre for
Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King’s College London

Professor Neena Modi, Professor of Neonatal Medicine, Imperial
College London

Professor Emma Morris, Professor of Clinical Cell & Gene
Therapy and Honorary Consultant, University College London,
University College London Hospital and Royal Free London
Hospital

Professor Valerie O’Donnell FLSW, Professor of Biochemistry,
Cardiff University

Professor Rosalind Raine, Professor of Health Services
Research & Head of Department of Applied Health Research,
University College London

Dr David Rees, Chief Scientific Officer, Astex Pharmaceuticals

Professor Mary Reilly, Professor of Neurology, UCL Queen
Square Institute of Neurology

Dr Nitzan Rosenfeld, Senior Group Leader, Cancer Research UK
Cambridge Institute, University of Cambridge

Dr Jina Swartz, Therapeutic Area Head Neuroscience and
Executive Medical Director, Merck, Sharpe and Dohme Limited

Professor Ludovic Vallier, Professor of Regenerative Medicine,
Wellcome – MRC Cambridge Stem Cell Institute, University of
Cambridge

Professor Cornelia van Duijn, Professor of Epidemiology,
Nuffield Department of Population Health, University of Oxford

Professor Andrew Waters FRSE, Professor of Molecular and
Developmental Parasitology, and Director, Wellcome Centre for
Integrated Parasitology, Institute of Infection, Immunity and
Inflammation, University of Glasgow

Professor Helen Weiss, Professor of Epidemiology, and
Director, MRC Tropical Epidemiology Group, London School of
Hygiene & Tropical Medicine

Professor Hugh Willison, Professor of Neurology, University of
Glasgow

Professor Matthew Wood, Professor of Neuroscience and Deputy
Head, Medical Sciences Division, University of Oxford

Professor Eleftheria Zeggini, Director, Institute          of
Translational Genomics; Helmholtz Zentrum Muenchen

About The Academy of Medical Sciences

The Academy of Medical Sciences is the independent body in the
UK representing the diversity of medical science. Our elected
Fellows are the UK’s leading medical scientists from
hospitals, academia, industry and the public service. Our
mission is to advance biomedical and health research and its
translation into benefits for society. We are working to
secure a future in which:

     UK and global health is improved by the best research.
     The UK leads the world in biomedical and health
     research, and is renowned for the quality of its
     research outputs, talent and collaborations.
     Independent, high quality medical science advice informs
     the decisions that affect society.
     More people have a say in the future of health and
     research.

Our work focusses on four key objectives: promoting
excellence, developing talented researchers, influencing
research and policy and engaging patients, the public and
professionals.

This year Fellows were chosen from 415. The eight Sectional
Committees met in March to consider potential Fellows for 2020
entry to the Academy. Three nominators from within the
Fellowship must back each candidate. The Academy Registrar,
Professor Philippa Saunders FRSE FMedSci, Director of
Postgraduate Research, University of Edinburgh, oversees the
election. 117 candidates were shortlisted for peer review. The
election brings the total number of Fellows to 1331.

For further information visit https://acmedsci.ac.uk

Relaunch of helpline for
healthcare workers & grieving
families
Fear and anxiety on the NHS frontline has prompted the founder
of a charity, set up to help bereaved families following the
death of their children, to relaunch its helpline due to
COVID-19. Aimed at NHS workers struggling with the stress of
witnessing the mounting Coronavirus death toll, as well as
members of the public suffering from grief or anxiety, the new
helpline offers support specifically dedicated to managing the
emotional impact of the pandemic.

Michaela Willis from Devon says she decided to restart the
National Bereavement Partnership (NBP) after being “bombarded”
with calls from healthcare workers telling her of the extreme

pressure they are working under including witnessing the
deaths of colleagues.

More than 80 NHS frontline workers are now confirmed to have
died from Covid-19 and are set to be remembered with a
minute’s silence at 11am on Tuesday April 28, 2020.

Ms Willis originally set up the NBP after her son Daniel
became one of the first Bristol heart babies whose death
caused a public inquiry. A BBC investigation revealed too many
had died because of sub-standard surgery at Bristol Royal
Infirmary in the early-1990s.

Michaela said: “Since the outbreak of the pandemic, I have
been struck by the number of frontline healthcare workers who
have been getting in touch to discuss their feelings of severe
stress and anxiety. They are dealing with deaths and bereaved
families on a daily basis, without having a spare moment to
process the toll this takes on their own well-being. Fear of
catching the virus is also acute as many have witnessed the
deaths of healthcare colleagues.

“The emotional impact the pandemic will have cannot be
overstated – which is why we have launched the National
Bereavement Partnership (NBP). As well as supporting those
working on the front line, our helpline will be open to UK-
based bereaved families who have lost loved ones due to
COVID-19. Our trained call handlers will offer immediate
support to callers, while working closely with NHS Trusts and
other relevant organisations.”

From today, members of the public can access the NBP’s support
through its helpline, operational daily between 7am-10pm, as
well online and via social media. Forty trained volunteers
will staff the charity’s advice platforms, recruited
specifically due to their appropriate skill sets. They will be
on hand to offer practical advice, support, assistance and
where needed, counselling.

Aligned with NHS Trust guidelines, the NBP welcomes enquiries
from healthcare professionals, community staff and residential
care workers. It is also aimed at members of the public
affected in any way by bereavement during the COVID-19
pandemic following the loss of a loved one, either directly
due to the Coronavirus or another cause of death.

Freephone helpline number: 0800 448 0800. In operation every
day, 7am – 10pm.

Website: www.nationalbereavementpartnership.org

Details of the Virgin Giving Donate campaign page can be
viewed here

Green energy investor takes
the top spot in India UK
Tracker report
Green energy investor EESL has taken the top spot in the
seventh annual edition of the Grant Thornton India meets
Britain Tracker report. The 2020 report, published by leading
business and financial adviser Grant Thornton UK LLP in
collaboration with the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII),
analyses data from almost 850 UK-incorporated limited
companies owned or controlled by Indian interests and provides
a complete view of the landscape of Indian investment into the
UK.

Key findings include:

     Total number of Indian companies in the UK: 842 in 2020
     and 842 in 2019

These companies have a total turnover of £41.2 billion,
     compared to £48 billion in 2019*
     Indian companies employ 110,793 employees (increased
     from 104,783 in 2019)
     Together they paid almost £462 million in corporation
     tax compared with £684 million in 2019 and £360 million
     in 2018

Anuj Chande, Partner and Head of South Asia Group at Grant
Thornton UK LLP, commented:

“The past year has brought significant international and
domestic challenges for both India and the UK. Yet as the
global economy slows, the economic connection between the two
countries is as strong as ever.

“The COVID-19 pandemic has diverted attention from the UK’s
ambition to negotiate a trade deal with India. Nevertheless, a
deal is still very much a priority for the UK post-Brexit. The
UK government has named India as one of its top targets for a
free trade agreement. Reflecting this, Mumbai was among 18
cities targeted by a new GREAT ‘Ready to Trade’ campaign,
which the UK government launched the day after the UK’s formal
departure from the European Union.

“While a UK-India trade deal will take time to negotiate and
the full opportunities will not emerge for some time, the UK
will continue to provide an excellent environment for
international businesses and offer many benefits to Indian
investors, not least access to a diverse, multicultural talent
pool and strong cultural connections through the Indian
diaspora. In addition, the depreciation of the pound continues
to make the UK a particularly favourable investment
destination.

“As we rebuild the UK economy in the months to come, Indian
owned businesses already operating here will continue to play
an important role. We anticipate new Indian investments as

both the UK and Indian economies start to re-emerge from the
shadow of this pandemic. The most successful Indian businesses
look at their UK investments from a long-term perspective and
not for short-term gains.”

The 2020 India meets Britain report also provides a tracker of
the fastest growing Indian companies in the UK, as measured by
those with turnover of more than £5 million, year-on-year
revenue growth of at least 10% and a minimum two-year track-
record in the UK.

This year, 72 companies met the qualifying criteria and
feature in the 2020 Tracker, achieving an average growth rate
of 40%, compared with 36.83% in 2019.

Green energy investor takes the top spot

The fastest-growing Indian company in the UK in this year’s
Tracker is from the energy sector. Energy Efficiency Services
Ltd (EESL) was set up by the Indian Government’s Ministry of
Power to create and sustain markets for energy efficiency in
India. The company is committed to investing £100 million in
the UK over three years to promote and implement low-carbon,
energy-efficient, renewable energy solutions. EESL EnergyPro
Assets Ltd, a JV founded by the company, made several
acquisitions in 2019 resulting in a growth rate of 715%.

Technology and telecoms companies dominate the top ten

Technology and telecoms companies have dominated the Tracker
since 2014. This year was no different. Companies from this
sector account for 38% of Tracker companies and took five of
the top ten places. Route Mobile UK (number 2 with 202%
growth), Dhoot Transmission (UK) Ltd (number 3 with 186%) and
Incessant Technologies (number 9 with 81%) have all featured
in the Tracker before. Newcomers in this year’s top ten are
Evolutionary Systems Co Ltd (number 4 with 142%) and Rategain
Technologies Ltd (number 7 with 105%).

The report anticipates that technology and telecoms companies
will continue to dominate the Tracker for a number of years,
with the next wave of Indian technology companies, such as
ride-sharing company Olacabs and Brilliant Basics, a design
technology business, stepping in to join the traditional
Indian IT service providers.

Over half of Tracker companies located in London

London remained the dominant region for Tracker companies in
2020, a position the capital has held since 2015. 54% of
Tracker companies are based in London, with the number
choosing the capital as their base growing for the sixth
consecutive year.

The North improved its showing in 2020 with 14%, up from 11%
in 2019 and 2018. This may be evidence of the UK’s efforts to
develop a ‘Northern Powerhouse’ starting to bear fruit.

Minister for Investment, Gerry Grimstone, said:

“The report showcases the continued strength of UK-India trade
and the importance of India as one of our most critical
bilateral investors and job creators, supporting over 100,000
jobs, with half of them outside London.

“More trade is essential if the UK is to overcome the
unprecedented economic challenge posed by Coronavirus. The
crisis has shown us the importance of keeping trade flowing
and building diverse supply chains that are robust in a
crisis.

“Investment will be key to ensuring a strong economy in the
years to come, boosting productivity and creating jobs, and it
is our strong trade relationships with partners like India
that will support this.”

The Former High Commissioner of India to the UK, Mrs. Ruchi
Ghanashyam, said:

“I am delighted to note that Indian investment into the UK
remains robust and it continues to generate record jobs for
the UK. The overall numbers of Indian contribution if you
include the Indian diaspora contribution is significant and I
can only foresee this rising in the years to come.”

Mr Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, Confederation of
Indian Industry (CII), said:

“These are unprecedented times for us as Indian industry,
globally. As we navigate through the challenges posed by this
sudden disruption caused by the pandemic, it is a useful
reminder to note and underscore the valuable contribution of
the Indian industry in the UK economy.”

Lakshmi Kaul, Head & Representative – UK, Confederation of
Indian Industry (CII), added:

“The India Meets Britain tracker is a reminder of the value
that Indian companies add locally, not just in investment
terms but more importantly in jobs terms. In the recent weeks,
one has seen how India has stepped in and stepped up, beyond
its usual business remit to support on ground in dealing with
the pandemic. Whilst the urgent need has now become to address
the pandemic, Indian industry will continue to be UK’s ally in
navigating its way past Brexit.”

Click here to download a copy of the GT CII India meets
Britain Tracker 2020

About Grant Thornton UK LLP

Grant Thornton is one of the world’s leading organisations of
independent assurance, tax and advisory firms. Proactive teams
use insights, experience and instinct to understand complex
issues for privately owned, publicly listed and public sector
clients – helping them to find sustainable solutions. More
than 56,000 Grant Thornton people across 140 countries are
focused on making a difference to clients, colleagues and the

communities in which we live and work. We’ve got scale,
combined with local market understanding. That means we’re
everywhere our clients are, as well as where they want to be.
The UK Grant Thornton member firm is led by 190 partners and
employs over 4,500 of the profession’s brightest minds. We are
a business adviser that helps organisations navigate today’s
volatile markets, has a strong focus on quality and delivers
insights to succeed.

Find out more at www.grantthornton.co.uk

 *The decline in combined turnover is attributable to the late
filing of accounts for one company. If 2018 figures were used,
                 combined turnover would rise to £47.1 billion

ONS stats show BAME people
are 4x more likely to die of
COVID-19
New analysis released today (7th May 2020) by the Office of
National Statistics (ONS) confirms that BAME groups are 4x
more likely to die of COVID-19. The analysis has shown that
the risk of death involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) among
some ethnic groups is significantly higher than that of those
of White ethnicity. When taking into account age in the
analysis, Black males are 4.2 times more likely to die from a
COVID-19-related death and Black females are 4.3 times more
likely than White ethnicity males and females. People of
Bangladeshi and Pakistani, Indian, and Mixed ethnicities also
had statistically significant raised risk of death involving
COVID-19 compared with those of White ethnicity.

After taking account of age        and other socio-demographic
characteristics and measures       of self-reported health and
disability at the 2011 Census,    the risk of a COVID-19-related
death for males and females of    Black ethnicity reduced to 1.9
times more likely than those of   White ethnicity.

Similarly, males in the Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnic group
were 1.8 times more likely to have a COVID-19-related death
than White males when age and other socio-demographic
characteristics and measures of self-reported health and
disability were taken into account; for females, the figure
was 1.6 times more likely.

These results show that the difference between ethnic groups
in COVID-19 mortality is partly a result of socio-economic
disadvantage and other circumstances, but a remaining part of
the difference has not yet been explained.

Reacting to the ONS stats,      Equality and Human Rights
Commission Chief Executive, Rebecca Hilsenrath, said: “These
statistics reveal the true impact coronavirus is having on
ethnic minority people. Behind every number is a person, with
a family left devastated and looking for answers. While the
ONS has revealed the numbers, the reasons are less clear. Race
inequality is persistent across Britain, with people from
ethnic minorities facing disadvantage in their living
conditions, access to healthcare and economic opportunities,
among other areas, which could be contributing factors. It is
this perspective that we are seeking to bring through our
participation in the NHS England and Public Health England
study into this critical issue.”

The Analysis

The ONS analysis includes deaths involving COVID-19 that
occurred between 2 March and 10 April 2020, registered by 17
April.

Ethnicity is not recorded on the death certificate. To enable

us to undertake this analysis, deaths involving COVID-19 have
been linked to the 2011 Census, which allowed us to ascertain
the self-reported ethnicity of the deceased and other
demographic factors. Analysis included those aged nine years
and above. More details on the data used can be found in
Section 7 and in the Technical appendix.

The breakdown of ethnicity we have used in this publication
was guided by the number of deaths available for use in
analyses and its distribution across ethnic groups. Table 1
shows the breakdown of ethnic groups used. We will repeat this
analysis in the future as more data become available; this
will include age-standardised mortality rates of deaths
involving COVID-19 and, where possible, more detailed
breakdowns.

Table 2 shows the number of deaths involving the coronavirus
(COVID-19) and their percentage distribution across ethnic
groups among the study population. For comparison, figures of
hospital deaths involving COVID-19 by ethnicity (Excel, 131KB)
published by NHS England, updated up to 21 April, not taking

account of more recent updates are also shown. It is important
to note that our data differ from NHS England’s as we report
deaths for both England and Wales, include deaths outside of
hospital, and include both confirmed and suspected cases of
COVID-19.

Despite these differences in the data, the results are very
similar. In the ONS data, the proportion of deaths occurring
among those of White ethnicity was 83.8%, while the largest
minority ethnic group was Black with 6.0%. Of those for whom
ethnicity could be established in the NHS England data,
approximately 82.7% were of White ethnicity, and those with
Black ethnicity made up 5.7%. The only large difference
between the two sources occurs in the category “Other Ethnic
Group”.

Differences in the risk of dying from COVID-19 across ethnic
groups may be related to demographic and socio-economic
factors as well as to a person’s past health profile.
Differences in these characteristics and what they may imply
for current circumstances may also be associated with the
probability of being infected or the risk of death once
infected.

The similarity between these two independent sets of figures
supports the reliability of the findings.

Risk of death

The risk of death generally, and specifically death from
COVID-19, is closely related to age. After adjusting for age
(Panel A), men and women from all ethnic minority groups
(except females with Chinese ethnicity) are at greater risk of
dying from COVID-19 compared with those of White ethnicity.
Black males are 4.2 times more likely to die from COVID-19
than White males, while Black females are 4.3 times more
likely to die from COVID-19 than White females. People of
Bangladeshi and Pakistani, Indian, and Mixed ethnicities also
had statistically significantly raised odds of death compared
with those of White ethnicity. For the Chinese ethnic group,
we find a raised risk among males but not females. Odds ratios
together with their confidence intervals are available in the
accompanying data tables.

To ensure that a broad range of factors were taken into
account, we also adjusted for region, rural and urban
classification, area deprivation, household composition,
socio-economic position, highest qualification held, household
tenure, and health or disability in the 2011 Census (Panel B).
Therefore, the fully adjusted results show differences in risk
between ethnic groups that are specific to those ethnic groups
and are not caused by any of the factors listed on which
members of the groups might differ.

Adjusting for these factors substantially reduces the odds of
a death involving COVID-19 relative to those of White
ethnicity for all ethnic groups. More information on how the
odds ratios change when adjusting for different sets of
characteristics can be found in the Technical appendix. Model

diagnostics are also available. In the fully adjusted model
(Panel B), Black males and females are 1.9 times more likely
to die from COVID-19 than the White ethnic group. Males of
Bangladeshi and Pakistani ethnicity are 1.8 times more likely
to die; for females, odds of death are reduced to 1.6 times
more likely. Individuals from the Chinese and Mixed ethnic
group have similar risks to those with White ethnicity.

Analysis of COVID-19 deaths by ethnicity in England and Wales

These analyses are based on a new dataset developed by the
Office for National Statistics (ONS) that links 2011 Census
records to deaths that occurred between 2 March and 10 April
2020 registered by death registrations up to 17 April 2020,
with deaths being added on a weekly basis. This represents a
large dataset with which to examine mortality variations by
ethnicity during a short time frame, benefiting from
assignment of ethnicity at a census and then following
individuals for death events occurring during the coronavirus
(COVID-19) pandemic. Such a dataset reduces the risk of
introducing numerator and denominator biases that can be
problematic in analyses using unlinked data. More details on
how the census and deaths records were linked can be found in
the Technical appendix.

Deaths were defined using the International Classification of
Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10). Deaths involving COVID-19
include those with an underlying cause, or any mention, of
ICD-10 codes U07.1 (COVID-19, virus identified) or U07.2
(COVID-19, virus not identified).

To view the full analysis visit https://www.ons.gov.uk

Reckoning needed on BAME
COVID-19 deaths says Unite
A ‘reckoning’ is needed on disproportionate Covid-19 deaths
amongst black, Pakistani and Bangladeshi heritage people said
Unite national officer for equalities, Harish Patel. “The ONS
figures showing that black people and those of Pakistani and
Bangladeshi heritage are more likely to die from Covid-19 is
disturbing in the extreme.

“As a country we cannot ignore the structures of inequality
that still plague many ethnic minority communities and that
have had a major part to play in the disproportionate amount
of suffering people of colour have experienced during the
pandemic.

“Discrimination and inequalities, whether that’s through
overcrowded housing, greater risk of health vulnerabilities or
economic disadvantage, are a fact of life for black, Asian,
and minority ethnic (BAME) people in modern Britain.

“Every weapon in the government’s armoury must be used to
ensure that BAME communities are shielded from further tragedy
during the pandemic.

“That goes for employers as well – far too many BAME members
of the Unite family, including London bus drivers and NHS
staff, have died while serving their country. Meanwhile those
continuing to serve remain at a greater risk than their white
colleagues.

“When we do emerge from the crisis, there must be a reckoning
and it will be incumbent on politicians, employers, and the UK
as a whole, to find a way to rid the scourge of racial
inequality from our society for good.”

On 4th May 2020, Health and Social Care Secretary, Matt

Hancock announced a Public Review saying:

“Every death from this virus is a tragedy and behind each
statistic is a name, a loss and a family that will never be
the same again.

As part of our continued effort to understand even more about
COVID-19, we have commissioned work from PHE to consider the
impact of various factors such as ethnicity, obesity, age,
gender and geographical location and how these may have an
impact on someone’s susceptibility to the virus.

The more we know about this virus and its impact, the more we
will be able protect lives and limit the spread.”

The review will help provide insight into emerging evidence to
suggest COVID-19 may be having a disproportionate impact on
different groups and examine the potential effects of other
factors such as ethnicity, level of obesity or gender.
Professor Kevin Fenton, Public Health Director for London will
lead the review, supported by a wide group including Trevor
Phillips, OBE.

About Unite

Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members
working across all sectors of the economy.

Ranil    Jayawardena MP
appointed as a UK Trade

Minister
Ranil Jayawardena MP, was appointed as Parliamentary Under-
Secretary of State for Trade Policy at the Department for
International Trade it was announced on 5th May 2020. The
Department for International Trade is responsible for:

     bringing together policy,     promotion and financial
     expertise to break down       barriers to trade and
     investment, and help businesses succeed
     delivering a new trade policy framework for the UK as we
     leave the EU
     promoting British trade and investment across the world
     building the global appetite for British goods and
     services

Mr Jayawardena who is a former Lloyds corporate banker whose
father emigrated to the UK from Sri Lanka in 1978, was first
elected the Member of Parliament for North East Hampshire in
May 2015. He was previously a local Councillor, serving as
Deputy Leader of The Borough of Basingstoke and Deane until
his election to Parliament.

After his election in 2015, Ranil was quickly elected by
fellow MPs to the Home Affairs Committee, which is responsible
for closely examining the expenditure, administration, and
policy of the Home Office and its associated public bodies.
Further, as our country leaves the European Union, Ranil was
elected to the International Trade Committee also, where he
focused on how to get the best deal for British businesses and
make the case for more free trade with countries across the
world.

Following the 2017 election, he chose not to seek re-election
to the Home Affairs Committee, instead seeking only to serve
on the International Trade Committee, to which he was re-
elected. He has been appointed to the Procedure Committee and

the Committees on Arms Export Controls also. In addition,
Ranil serves as the Prime Minister’s Trade Envoy to Sri Lanka.
A constituency focus remains front of mind, however, so he is
an active member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on
Hampshire and the Isle of Wight where has been elected once
again by County colleagues to continue as Chairman.

Having grown up in Hook, Ranil went to the local schools in
Hook, Odiham and Alton, after which he won a place at the
London School of Economics. Ranil’s subsequent commercial
experience involved working for one of Britain’s biggest
financial institutions – Lloyds Banking Group plc – in the
City of London. He now lives in Bramley, in the north of the
constituency, with his wife Alison, and two little daughters,
Daisy and Violet.

Major    Coalition    of   UK
Business Organisations formed
The UK’s leading entrepreneurship organisations have united in
an unprecedented manner as part of an emergency response to
the COVID-19 pandemic to establish the Business Action Council
(BAC) – a coalition that will streamline the voices of more
than 500,000 businesses across every sector and region within
the United Kingdom.

In the wake of the Prime Minister’s call to build the biggest
possible consensus from business in its response to the
COVID-19 pandemic, the formation of the BAC marks the first
occasion that business organisations have joined together at
such a scale in the spirit of collective action.

The BAC’s primary mission is to act as an instrument that

provides Government with a more coherent perspective from
business. It is developing well-evidenced policy proposals
that balance the competing demands of the wide range of
businesses represented and provide expert, holistic advice to
protect business resilience and restore confidence.

At a time of significant economic upheaval brought on by the
spread of COVID-19, the Council brings together leaders from
the most significant institutions that represent the UK’s
business community to build consensus, allowing them to
respond quickly and collectively to Government. Its founding
members include the largest such organisations – the
Confederation of British Industry (CBI), the Institute of
Directors (IoD), the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), and
the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC).

The BAC’s work is currently informed by six specialist working
groups, which are developing high-quality policy proposals and
analysis to guide the Government’s response to the pandemic,
which are endorsed by the entire Council. Policy proposals in
five of the following areas have already been submitted to
Government. The below lists all six working groups and more
are being added:

Future of Finance: Providing assessment of the immediate
impact on entrepreneurial businesses of COVID-19, and
available remedies; assessment of the role finance will play
in a post-COVID-19 ecosystem for such businesses; and
strategic solutions in support of our entrepreneurs and their
businesses in the medium to longer term

Employee Retention: Fine-tuning the government’s furlough
scheme with the aim of protecting employment and enabling
employees to return to work safely

Peer support: Providing solutions for how entrepreneurs pool
experience to support one another through the COVID crisis and
beyond

SME Tax: Creating a tax framework that puts SMEs at the heart
of the recovery
Supporting High Growth Start Ups: Applying international best
practice in supporting the early stages businesses that will
play a leading role in the recovery to the UK context

Real Estate Reform: Protecting landlords, tenants and
construction firms throughout business disruption and help
them safely exit the lockdown

The lifespan of the BAC and its working groups will be
determined by the progress made on addressing the policy
requirements. The BAC is chaired by Maurice Ostro OBE.

The members of the BAC and its representatives include:

B-Lab UK – Chris Turner, Executive Director
British Chambers of Commerce – Baroness Ruby Mcgregor-Smith,
President
Business in the Community (BITC) – Amanda Mackenzie OBE, CEO
Can Do Scotland – Rachel Brown, Chair
Centre for Entrepreneurs – Matt Smith, Director
Confederation of British Industry (CBI) –         Lord    Karan
Bilimoria, Vice President
Creative England & Creative Industries Federation – Caroline
Norburry MBE, CEO
E2Exchange – Shalini Khemka, Founder
Entrepreneurial Giving – Shaughan Dolan, Campaign Director
Enterprise Trust – Elizabeth Slee, Director
Entrepreneurial Scotland – Sandy Kennedy, CEO
Entrepreneurs Network – Sam Dumituru, Director of Research
Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) – James Burchell, Strategy
Lead
Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) – Craig Beaumont,
Director, External Affairs and Advocacy
Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) –
Andrew Chamberlain, Director of Policy
Innovate Finance – Charlotte Crosswell, CEO

Institute of Directors (IoD) – Tej Parikh, Chief Economist
Make UK – Andrew Tuscher, Head of External Affairs
ScaleUp Institute – Irene Graham OBE, CEO
Tech Nation – Liz Stevenson, Director
The Entrepreneurs Network – Philip Salter, Director
The Industrial Strategy Council – Andy Haldane, Chair
United Nations Global Compact – Stephen Kenzie, UK CEO
YPO UK Leadership Council – Maurice Ostro OBE, Chair

Lord Bilimoria, Vice President of the CBI, said: “It is a
historic moment to see organisations that sometimes see each
other as competitors put aside differences and unite in the
national interest. There are no simple answers to the myriad
problems that the pandemic has created: entrepreneurship
organisations will need to work together over the coming
months to develop the bold and imaginative solutions necessary
to help us recover as quickly as possible.”

Tej Parikh, Chief Economist, Institute of Directors, said:
“Supporting enterprise will be crucial in the months and years
ahead, as we respond to the pandemic and seek to amplify our
recovery from it. This mission is written into the IoD’s Royal
Charter, and we are pleased to work constructively with other
groups to serve this purpose.”

Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith, President of British Chambers of
Commerce, said: “We will meet this unprecedented challenge
with a collaborative effort to ensure the survival and future
prosperity of business communities across the UK. As the
government prepares to gradually reopen the economy, this
coordinated approach will help restore, strengthen and rebuild
our economy. Chambers of Commerce stand ready to work
constructively towards this goal, bringing real-world
experiences from businesses on the ground.”

Shalini Khemka, CEO of E2E, said: “E2E are pleased to be
working actively with The Business Action Council to
collectively provide a crucial link between SMEs and our

government during this time of crisis and unity. We are
determined to ensure our economy can emerge with a foundation
that allows it to be vibrant and innovative, so supporting our
national recovery. My sub-committee members and I welcome the
opportunity to have constructive conversations with the Prime
Minister’s team on the employee retention support packages.
Small and medium sized businesses are vital for the success of
our economy whether as employers, through the provision of
goods and services or being the major enterprises of the
future.”

For further information about Innovate        Finance,   visit
https://www.innovatefinance.com/

DFID: Improving the lives of
women and girls overseas
The Department for International Development’s (DFID) 2018
Strategic Vision for Gender Equality is ambitious and well-
researched but DFID needs to improve its management of the
Vision’s implementation if it is to achieve its intended
impact, according to the National Audit Office (NAO).

DFID’s Vision is wide-ranging, building on and extending the
scope of its earlier work on improving the lives of women and
girls. It consulted widely both internally and externally with
experts in gender equality and gathered evidence of what works
in achieving change.

However, the NAO found that there is currently no overall
long-term implementation plan for the Vision, nor has DFID
published a thorough assessment of its progress to date, other
than limited information in its annual reports and accounts

and the Single Departmental Plan.

Gender inequality is prevalent across all aspects of life

Gender inequality is prevalent across all aspects of life – in
the workplace, in civic engagement, in health and in
education. Worldwide, 63 million girls are out of school;
women make up just 24.3% of representatives in national
parliaments; and one in three women will be beaten or sexually
abused in their lifetime. In 2018, globally, around 48.5% of
women participated in the labour force, 26.5% behind men’s
participation. And women spent three times longer on unpaid
care work preventing them from engaging in paid work, facing
lower wages where they do obtain paid work, and facing other
social and legal barriers.

In 2018 the Department for International Development (DFID)
spent £4.2 billion of bilateral aid (66% of its total
bilateral spend) on programmes that targeted gender equality
as a policy objective – 71% more money than in 2011. In March
2018, DFID launched its 2018–2030 Strategic Vision for Gender
Equality (2018 Strategic Vision). This set out what it
describes as a ‘call to action’ asking more of itself and of
the UK government, and its multilateral and civil society
partners, to help empower women and girls, recognising that
gender equality is fundamental to achieving the Sustainable
Development Goals by 2030.

However, DFID needs to improve the quality of this estimate as
there is a high chance that it is currently inaccurate. The
NAO’s analysis shows that it classified 33% of its bilateral
spending for 2018 incorrectly in respect of programmes with a
gender equality focus.

“Mainstreaming” gender, so that it is considered across all of
DFID’s work, is integral to the Vision, but DFID has found
this difficult so far. Barriers include a lack of buy-in from
some staff, insufficient guidance and training before 2019,

and some weaknesses in its quality assurance processes. DFID
is currently improving how it assesses programmes’
consideration of gender.

According to DFID, tackling social norms, such as negative
attitudes within communities to girls attending school, will
have the most long-term impact on tackling gender equality.
But it has recognised that it does not do enough of this in
its programmes. Influencing is also key to DFID’s approach,
but it faces challenges assessing and claiming the impact from
its influencing efforts.

DFID’s most recent assessment of progress to date and the
prospects for achieving the Vision is mixed. In September
2019, DFID identified strong performance so far in four of its
seven calls to action.3 However, its assessment of likely
performance over the next six months was less positive, with
five of its seven calls to action not on track to meet its
aims as a result of the changes in its internal priorities and
the external environment.

The NAO recommends that DFID should develop a plan for
implementing the 2018 Strategic Vision and publish a short
report setting out its progress every two years. It should
also assess if it is focusing sufficiently on interventions
which tackle social norms.

 “DFID’s commitment to tackling gender inequality is ambitious
 and wide-ranging. Two years into the Department’s twelve-year
 vision, individual interventions are already improving the
 lives of women and girls overseas.”

 “However, if DFID is to achieve its ambitious aims, it needs
 to develop a clearer long-term plan for implementing its
 vision and continue to take steps to improve the accuracy and
 transparency of its performance information.”

Gareth Davies, Head of the NAO

Key facts

2018
year the Department for International Development (DFID)
introduced its Strategic Vision for Gender Equality

£4.2bn
estimate of DFID’s bilateral spending in 2018 (calendar year)
on programmes with a gender equality focus 2030 target date
for delivery of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development
Goals

5
number of interlinked areas of gender equality on which DFID’s
2018 Strategic Vision focuses: eliminating violence against
women and girls, and supporting sexual and reproductive health
and rights, girls’ education, women’s economic empowerment,
and women’s political empowerment

66%
percentage of DFID’s total bilateral spending in 2018 on
programmes with a gender equality focus (up 12 percentage
points from 2014)

33%
National Audit Office assessment of the percentage of DFID’s
bilateral spending which was incorrectly classified against
the Organisation of Economic Cooperation and Development’s
Development Assistance Committee’s gender equality policy
marker in 2018.

87%
percentage of programmes with a gender equality focus that met
or exceeded DFID’s performance expectations.

DFID’s 7 Calls to Action

The seven calls to action are:

   1. challenge and change unequal power relations
   2. build the inter-linked foundations which will have a
      transformational effect for girls and women
   3. Protect and empower girls and women in conflict,
      protracted crises and humanitarian emergencies
   4. Leave no girl or woman behind, including those with
      disabilities
   5. Incorporate gender equality in all our work across the
      board and track delivery through to results
   6. Work across girls and women’s lifecycles and on multiple
      areas simultaneously, such as adolescence
   7. Build evidence and disaggregate data by sex, age and
      disability.

Click to download:

Report – Improving the lives of women and girls overseas (pdf
– 569.13 KB)

Summary – Improving the lives of women and girls overseas (pdf
– 109.30 KB)

LIFF pays tribute to the late
Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor
The Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival (LIFF) has
paid tribute to the late Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor who both
passed away last week. Cary Sawhney MBE, Director of LIFF said

“Irrfan Khan had graced our humble festival a couple of times
and lit up the screen with remarkable on screen performances
in LIFF premieres of his films such as Pan Singh Tomar, Doob,
No Bed of Roses and Song of Scorpions. Irrfan also gave an
incredibly memorable on stage talk at LIFF back in 2013, where
we reunited him on stage with the director of The Warrior,
Asif Kapadia (Maradonna, Senna). The two men rekindled their
friendship, which led to a deep and incisive conversation
about Irrfan’s career, and working in both Indian and Western
cinema.”

“During Irrfan Khan’s visit to the festival in 2013, we also
held a premiere screening of D Day distributed by Yash Raj
films, and we are sad to see that Rishi Kapoor, who was in the
film with Irrfan, has passed away today. It is indeed a sad
time for Indian cinema.

In 2018, we presented Irrfan with our coveted LIFF ICON Award.
He was in London at the time and starting treatment for
cancer. We discreetly went to the apartment where he was
staying in St John’s Wood and presented him the award. He was
clearly delighted and as a mark of the humbleness and
sweetness of the man he insisted on making us all tea himself.
His unique style of acting and diverse portrayal of the common
man will live on in his movies.”

Irrfan Khan with Amit Kumar and Cary Sawhney

About Irrfan Khan

Irrfan Khan was an Indian actor who worked in Hindi cinema as
well as in British and American films. Cited in the media as
one of the finest actors in Indian cinema,Khan’s career
spanned over 30 years and earned him numerous accolades,
including a National Film Award, an Asian Film Award, and four
Filmfare Awards. In 2011, he was awarded the Padma Shri,
India’s fourth highest civilian honour.

Khan made his film debut with a small role in Salaam Bombay!
(1988), which was followed by years of struggle. After
starring in the British film The Warrior (2001), he had his
breakthrough with starring roles in the dramas Haasil (2003)
and Maqbool (2004). He went on to gain critical acclaim for
his roles in The Namesake (2006), Life in a… Metro (2007), and
Paan Singh Tomar (2011). For portraying the title character in
the last of these, he won the National Film Award for Best
Actor.

Further success came for his starring roles in The Lunchbox
(2013), Piku (2015), and Talvar (2015) and he had supporting
roles in the Hollywood films The Amazing Spider-Man (2012),
Life of Pi (2012), Jurassic World (2015), and Inferno (2016).
His other notable roles were in Slumdog Millionaire (2008),
New York (2009), Haider (2014), and Gunday (2014), and the
television series In Treatment (2010). His highest-grossing
Hindi film release came with the comedy-drama Hindi Medium
(2017), which won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor, and
his final film appearance was in its sequel Angrezi Medium
(2020).

As of 2017, his films had grossed $3.6 billion at the
worldwide box office. In 2018, Khan was diagnosed with a
neuroendocrine tumour. He died at the age of 53 on 29 April
2020. He leaves behind a wife and two children.

About Rishi Kapoor

Rishi Raj Kapoor was an Indian actor known as one of the most
successful actors in the history of Bollywood. Born into the
legendary Kapoor family, he made his debut, as an adolescent,
in his father Raj Kapoor’s film Mera Naam Joker (1970), for
which he won the National Film Award for Best Child Artist.

As an adult, his first lead role was opposite Dimple Kapadia
in the teen romance Bobby (1973), which won him the Filmfare
Award for Best Actor. Between 1973 and 2000, Kapoor starred as
the romantic lead in 92 films. Some of his notable films
during this period include Khel Khel Mein (1975), Kabhi Kabhie
(1976), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Karz (1980), and Chandni
(1989). Since the 2000s, he played character roles to critical
acclaim in such films as Love Aaj Kal (2009), Agneepath
(2012), and Mulk (2018). For his performance in Do Dooni Chaar
(2010), he won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor, and
for his role in Kapoor & Sons (2016), he won the Filmfare
Award for Best Supporting Actor. He was honoured with the
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008. His final film

appearance was in The Body (2019).

Kapoor often collaborated with his wife, actress Neetu Singh,
with whom he had two children, including Ranbir Kapoor. He
died of leukemia on 30 April 2020, aged 67.

One Family delivers                                 care
boxes   to frontline                                 NHS
workers
UK-registered charity One Family launched its Emergency Care
Fund earlier this month, with its ‘Frontline Care Boxes’ being
distributed across London hospitals this week. The care boxes,
conceptualised by junior doctor Marissa Lewis, have been
carefully assembled to provide all the essentials hospital
staff need while on gruelling shifts. The contents include a
new pair of socks, an eye mask, earplugs, lip balm, hand
moisturiser, mouthwash sachets, glucose tablets and an
assortment of refreshments.

The idea came to Dr Lewis while on the phone with a colleague,
who had experienced a particularly difficult A&E shift. She
created the thoughtful care box as a way of expressing her
understanding and solidarity and was soon inundated with
requests for more by colleagues.

“After hearing Dr Lewis’ story, we were moved by her spirit of
generosity at such a trying time,” said Sharif Banna MBE,
Chairman of One Family. He continued: “Our mission is to
inspire a love for humanity that unites everyone, and
Marissa’s care boxes do just that. As part of our Emergency
Care Fund for COVID-19, we are delighted to partner with Dr

Lewis to create these in order to provide a little respite to
our brilliant medical staff, who are working tirelessly every
day to save lives.”

The charity has partnered with brands including RB’s E45 and
SwishToGo to ensure only the best quality products are
reaching frontline staff. Dr Lewis expressed her delight at
receiving an initial batch of the boxes at Darent Valley
Hospital in Dartford, Kent. “[The care boxes] are so fantastic
and I’m thrilled to hear they are reaching other hospitals.”

One Family’s ‘Frontline Care Boxes’ have been delivered to
Chelsea and Westminster, Queen’s Hospital in Romford and
Northwick Park – one of London’s worst-hit hospitals. The
charity aims to roll out the scheme nationwide over the coming
weeks, with more boxes being delivered to hospitals across
London this week.

“Our Emergency Care Fund was created to provide support where
it’s really needed,” said One Family Chairman, Sharif Banna
MBE. “In our insight gathering phase, we wanted to mobilise
our vast network to provide specific solutions for the issues
being faced by communities during this unprecedented time.”

As well as the ‘Frontline Care Boxes’, One Family’s Emergency
Care Fund has developed ‘Food & Grocery’ packs for the most
vulnerable and partnered with organisations to provide tablets
to care homes across the country, as well as facilitate 3D
printing of essential Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
supplies.

For         further          information               visit:
www.onefamily.org.uk/emergency-care-fund.