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National leaders recently visited Liverpool to engage directly with local residents, young people, and community organisations regarding efforts to combat racism and foster stronger community bonds. The Race Equality Engagement Group (REEG), chaired by Baroness Lawrence, alongside the Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson MP, arrived on Thursday, 22 October, aiming to identify collaborative strategies between local and national government to address racism, counter misinformation, and reinforce social cohesion.
During their visit, the group held a roundtable with representatives from Liverpool City Council and the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority. Following this, they toured Spellow Library in Walton, a community facility that had been targeted by arson during the racist riots earlier in 2024. The meeting emphasized cooperation in combating hate crimes, ensuring anti-racism principles are embedded in public services, and building stronger intercommunity relationships. Central to the discussions were voices from those with lived experiences, including Dr Dominique Walker from the Anthony Walker Foundation, who described the organisation’s efforts to promote racial unity through education, sports, and the arts.
Participants from the care sector, such as workers from Caring Connections, shared personal experiences of racial abuse and the support systems in place. Additionally, young people from the Tiber Young People’s Steering Group explained how their initiatives help youth develop confidence, aim higher, and feel a greater sense of belonging. The visit to the rebuilt Spellow Library offered an opportunity for local residents, schoolchildren, and community leaders to reflect on the riots’ impact, the community’s resilience in response, and aspirations for a more inclusive future. Arnot St Mary Primary School pupils, Anthony Walker Foundation youth participants, community champions, and residents all contributed to discussions on how to unite against racism and strengthen Liverpool’s inclusivity.
The significance of listening to community experiences emerged as a key theme throughout the visit, informing policies aimed at reducing racism and enhancing social cohesion. Liverpool City Council remains dedicated to collaborating with residents, community groups, and regional partners to tackle misinformation, combat racism, and build an environment where everyone feels valued and able to prosper.
The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities, remarked:
“People of different faiths, ethnicities and backgrounds living side by side, treating each other with tolerance and respect, is a key part of what makes us proud to be British.
There is no place for racism in Britain; listening to those who have experienced it is the first step to opening up this conversation, understanding the challenges, and driving action.
This government will back Liverpool and its communities, with national, regional and local leaders working together to tackle racism, challenge division and strengthen social cohesion.”
Liverpool City Council Leader Cllr Liam Robinson stated:
“Today we have heard directly from people in our communities who are still experiencing horrendous racism in their everyday lives. It is appalling that anyone should have to endure racist abuse or feel unsafe or unwelcome because of who they are.
We want Liverpool to be a city where everyone feels welcome, safe and that they belong. We have made progress, but what we have heard today is a stark reminder that we still have much more to do.
We are determined to act. We will continue to listen to the experiences of our communities and work with the Race Equality Engagement Group, the Government and our partners across the city to challenge racism wherever it occurs, tackle the misinformation and division that can fuel it, and do everything we can to stamp racism out.”
Chair of the REEG, The Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE, added:
“Liverpool is showing what is possible when local leaders, strong partnerships and communities work together to tackle racial inequality. It was valuable to hear directly from people with lived experience of racism, and to talk openly about what is working and what is still hard. The honesty and courage of those who shared their stories, particularly the young people, is a powerful reminder that this work is about building a place where everyone feels they belong.
Visits like this help us understand what lasting change takes. The commitment I have seen here is real, and there is much that other parts of the country can learn from Liverpool’s approach, which has been shaped in conversation with the people it is meant to serve.”
Read the full article on Liverpool Express here: Read More
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