To ask the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster and Minister for the Cabinet Office,
what plans he has to (a) tackle covid-19 misinformation amongst African communities
in the UK and (b) provide accurate information in (i) Tigrinya, (ii) Amharic, (iii)
Blen, (iv) Kibajuni, (v) KiSwahili, (vi) Tigre, (vii) Oromo, (viii) Afar, (ix) Sidayama,
(x) Wolayatta, (xi) Hausa, (xii) Chichewa, and (xiii) Igbo.
<p>I refer the Hon. Member to the answer given to PQs <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-01-27/144853"
target="_blank">144853</a> on 1 February 2021 and <a href="https://questions-statements.parliament.uk/written-questions/detail/2021-03-02/161667"
target="_blank">161667</a> on 15 March 2021.</p><p>The Government is clear that targeting
misinformation at any community is completely unacceptable. This is why the cross-Whitehall
Counter Disinformation Unit was stood up on 5 March 2020. The Rapid Response Unit,
operating from within the Cabinet Office and No10, also tackles a range of harmful
narratives online - from purported ‘experts’ issuing dangerous misinformation, to
criminal fraudsters running phishing scams.</p><p>We have been working with a wide
range of faith groups to support vaccine confidence communication amongst different
communities. Regarding African communities specifically, HMG has partnered with community
news outlets including the African Voice over the course of the pandemic to address
key points of concern and serve to provide reassurance within these communities.</p><p>Moreover,
on 28 February, 60 black majority church leaders issued a joint statement in support
of the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. The Christian leaders united to ensure the community
were kept informed, and to dispel misinformation and disinformation about the vaccine
in response to data that shows black people are among those most likely to be hesitant
about receiving the Covid-19 vaccine.</p><p> </p>
