National leaders have heard directly from Liverpool residents, young people and community organisations about tackling racism and building stronger communities during a visit to the city.
The Race Equality Engagement Group (REEG), chaired by Baroness Lawrence, together with the Minister for Women and Equalities, Bridget Phillipson MP, visited Liverpool on Thursday 22 October to explore how local and national government can work together to tackle racism, challenge misinformation and strengthen social cohesion.
The visit included a roundtable discussion with Liverpool City Council and Liverpool City Region Combined Authority, followed by a visit to Spellow Library in Walton, which was targeted in an arson attack during the racist riots in 2024.
The roundtable explored how local and national government can work together to address racism and hate crime, tackle misinformation, strengthen relationships between communities and ensure anti-racism is reflected across public services.
People with lived experience were central to the discussions. Dr Dominique Walker of the Anthony Walker Foundation spoke about the organisation’s work to promote racial harmony through education, sport and the arts.
Care workers from Caring Connections shared their experiences of racial abuse and the support they have received, while young people from Tiber Young People’s Steering Group discussed how their work helps young people build confidence, raise aspirations and develop a stronger sense of belonging.
The group then visited Spellow Library, which has been rebuilt and restored following the 2024 arson attack. The library visit provided an opportunity to hear from local residents, schoolchildren and community organisations about the impact of the riots, the strength shown by the community in their aftermath and their hopes for the future.
Pupils from Arnot St Mary Primary School, young people involved in the Anthony Walker Foundation’s work, community champions and local residents shared their experiences and discussed how communities can come together to challenge racism and build a more inclusive Liverpool.
The visit highlighted the importance of listening to communities and drawing on their experiences when developing policies and approaches to tackling racism and strengthening social cohesion.
Liverpool City Council continues to work with residents, community organisations and regional partners to challenge racism, address misinformation and build a city where everyone can feel they belong and have the opportunity to thrive.
The Rt Hon Bridget Phillipson MP, Minister for Women and Equalities, said:
“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.”
Cllr Liam Robinson, Leader of Liverpool City Council, said:
“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”.
The Baroness Lawrence of Clarendon OBE, Chair of the REEG, said:
“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.”
Steve Rotheram, Mayor of the Liverpool City Region, said:
“If we’re serious about tackling racism, we have to work with our communities, listen to their experiences and act on what they tell us. Too many people still face prejudice and barriers to opportunities that others take for granted. It’s no longer enough to say you’re not racist, we have to be actively, proudly, anti-racist.
“That’s why we’ve invested an unprecedented £2.3 million in our Race Equality Hub and launched our Anti-Racism Strategy. Working alongside Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, we want to turn that investment and commitment into changes people can feel in their everyday lives.
“What we’ve heard today reinforces why this work matters. My ambition is to make the Liverpool City Region the best place to grow up, grow a business and grow a family – and that means making sure everyone has a fair chance to succeed.”
