Greater Manchester VCFSE Leadership Group Joins over 200 Organisations Calling for a National Anti-Racism Strategy

The open letter highlights growing levels of racism, hate crime and social division, and calls for a coordinated national approach to advancing racial justice across public policy, developed in partnership with communities and civil society organisations. It comes at a time when the UK is experiencing some of the highest levels of racist violence and community tensions in recent memory.

The letters urges the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, to develop and implement a cross-government anti-racism strategy and delivery framework. Sustained and coordinated action is needed to tackle the persistent inequalities and discrimination experienced by communities experiencing racial inequality.

The Leadership Group's support for the letter builds on its own work to address growing intolerance in Greater Manchester. In 2025, the group shared ‘10 Areas for Action to tackle growing community tensions’, setting out recommendations for stronger partnership working, visible solidarity with affected communities, coordinated anti-racism action and long-term approaches to tackling the root causes of division.

Among the paper's recommendations was the need for acoordinated programme of anti-racism across public services and institutions,alongside clear leadership, community engagement and action to challenge hateand misinformation.  

As a Leadership Group committed to promoting the voice androle of the VCFSE sector in devolution and to ending inequality in GreaterManchester, supporting this national call reflects our ongoing commitment tocreating a more inclusive, fair and connected society.