PM faces backlash for announcing new review of inequality despite ‘countless’ reports on race’

Latest updates and essential advice from the news source you trust Trouble viewing? [View in browser]( [Image]( [Image] Daily briefing Latest updates and essential advice from the news source you trust PM faces backlash for announcing new review of inequality despite ‘countless’ reports on race’ Boris Johnson faces criticism from across the political spectrum for announcing a review into racial inequality in the UK in the wake of recent Black Lives Matter protests - [despite “countless” similar inquiries not having been acted upon](. The prime minister promised a Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, which Downing Street said on Monday would also look at wider inequalities such as issues facing working class white boys. But David Lammy, the shadow justice secretary, accused Mr Johnson of drawing up plans on the “back of a fag packet”, while the Liberal Democrats branded it a “botched PR move”. Tens of thousands of people [poured onto England’s high streets yesterday]( as non-essential shops were allowed to reopen for the first time since lockdown began. While many of those who stepped out despite coronavirus fears to engage in some long-awaited retail therapy cited concerns about looming job losses in the sector and a need to restart the economy, the overwhelming sense was of people urgently seeking to regain a taste of normality after 11 weeks in stasis. The government has rejected Manchester United striker Marcus Rashford’s emotional request that they [reverse their decision not to extend a free school meals voucher system]( for low-income families. In a letter published on Sunday, Mr Rashford recalled his own experiences of depending on free school meals as a child and asked politicians to uphold the national voucher initiative that was introduced in March. The scheme has allowed children in low-income families access to free meals despite the closure of schools amid the coronavirus crisis, but - despite the footballer’s impressive plea - it has been confirmed that the system will cease to run when the school term ends. Podcast [Image]( The Independent Coronavirus Podcast Subscribe now wherever you listen for all the latest coronavirus news. [Listen now]( The Independent employs over 100 journalists around the world to bring you news you can trust. Please consider a [contribution]( or [subscription](. Top stories [I'm an image]( PREMIUM [Boris Johnson and the art of distraction politics]( [I'm an image]( [Priti Patel calls Jeremy Corbyn’s politics ‘racist’ in Commons]( [I'm an image]( [210,000 people join UK protests sparked by George Floyd's death]( More news [Boris Johnson accused over absence of experts from Covid briefings]( [How mercenaries shaped Libya’s war]( [One in five children do almost no schoolwork during lockdown]( [Experts unable to give full information on local clusters until August]( [Economy 'may never fully recover' from pandemic, Blair Institute warns]( [Subscribe today 3 months for £3]( Suggested for you [I'm an image]( [UK employment falls by 600,000 since lockdown]( [I'm an image]( [Labour supports Marcus Rashford in free school meals call]( [I'm an image]( [NHS oxygen supplies to be stretched as Covid patients recover at home]( [I'm an image]( [Boris Johnson news - live: PM under pressure over free school meals]( Follow us [Twitter]( [Facebook]( Please do not reply directly to this email You are currently registered to receive The Independent's News email. Add us to your safe list of senders. If you do not want to receive The Independent News email and Breaking News alerts, please [unsubscribe](list_name=IND_Headlines_Masterlist_CDP). If you no longer wish to receive any newsletters or promotional emails from The Independent, you can unsubscribe [here](. This e-mail was sent by Independent Digital News and Media Ltd, 2 Derry Street, London W8 5HF. Registered in England and Wales with company number 07320345. Read our [privacy notice]( and [cookie policy](.