In a stark message to the Cabinet, Angela Rayner said immigration, economic insecurity and the rapid pace of deindustrialisation were having a ‘profound impact on society’
Angela Rayner has warned ministers they must deliver improvements to people’s lives as last summer’s riots flared in England’s most deprived areas.
In a stark message to the Cabinet, the Deputy PM said immigration, economic insecurity and the rapid pace of deindustrialisation were having a “profound impact on society”. She also pointed to the amount of time people were spending alone online and declining trust in institutions as drivers of tensions.
It comes amid concerns there could be a repeat of the unrest that followed the horrific murders of three young girls in Southport last year. Violence has flared in recent days at protests outside a hotel believed to be housing asylum seekers in Epping, where six people were arrested on Sunday.
In a readout of yesterday’s Cabinet meeting, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The Deputy Prime Minister said that economic security, the rapid pace of de-industrialisation, immigration and the impact on local communities and public services, technological change in the amount of time people were spending alone online, and declining trust in institutions was having a profound impact on society.
READ MORE: PM condemns ‘unacceptable’ attacks on police after violent Essex protest
“She said it was incumbent on the Government to acknowledge the real concerns people have and to deliver improvements to people’s lives and their communities. She said 17 of the 18 places that saw the worst of the disorder last summer ranked at the top of the most deprived.
“And while Britain was a successful multi-ethnic, multi-faith country, the Government had to show it had a plan to address people’s concerns and provide opportunities for everyone to flourish.”
Ms Rayner is leading work on social cohesion, including an upcoming Plan for Neighbourhoods, which is due to pour billions of pounds into the most deprived areas.
Keir Starmer recalled last year’s “horrific” Southport attacks and said the “unimaginable tragedy” would never be forgotten in the last Cabinet meeting before the summer recess.
Asked if the PM was concerned about further disorder, his official spokesman said: “He’s focused on taking action to ensure that we address people’s concerns, people’s very legitimate concerns. And we start by acknowledging that those concerns are legitimate, and we start by dealing with the underlying causes of those concerns.”
On Monday, the PM’s spokesman condemned the “unacceptable” attacks on police in Epping, when an officer was struck in the face with a bottle and had to be taken to hospital.
“Peaceful protest is a cornerstone of our democracy but it is clearly unacceptable to see police coming under attack as they ensure a peaceful protest is able to take place,” the spokesman said.
“I’ll point you to the Essex Police statement. It’s very clear that they have got no concern with people who protest peacefully, but clearly criminal behaviour can never be tolerated.”
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