Responding to the publication of the final report on progress to address COVID-19 health disparities by the minister for equalities, the deputy chief executive of NHS Providers, Saffron Cordery said:

"We welcome this important report, which confirms the devastating and disproportionate impact COVID-19 continues to have on ethnic minority groups.

"While we now have a greater understanding of the factors behind growing race inequalities, more action is needed to ensure we now make progress.

"We are pleased to see the government has accepted all the recommendations of today's report, and is taking steps towards ensuring public health messaging is culturally appropriate for diverse communities.

"Our health and care system also has an important role to play. Eliminating inequalities in health outcomes between all communities is a top priority for trust leaders, including within ongoing efforts to tackle the backlog of care.

"We must also do more to help Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities feel confident in the vaccine. Trusts will continue to play a role in providing reassurance about the safety of the vaccine.

"We know there is inequity here so it is vital that more work is done with more hesitant communities to tackle any concerns."