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MPs seek English identity option for all ethnic groups in census
A cross-party group of MPs is calling for census respondents in England to be able to identify as both English and members of any ethnic group. The proposal challenges the current form, which offers “English” only under the “White” category, and comes amid political debate over who can claim an English identity.
Liberal Democrat Josh Babarinde is tabling a 10-minute rule bill, backed by MPs including David Lammy, James Cleverly and Mark Pritchard. Around 11% of people born in the UK and living in England and Wales, about five million, are from minority ethnic backgrounds; census forms in Scotland and Wales already include options such as “Scottish Asian” and “Black Welsh”. The bill would require future censuses in England to let people in every ethnic group identify as English, though such bills rarely become law.
In short
- MPs want census respondents to combine English identity with any ethnic group.
- The current England form lists English only under White.
- A proposed bill would change future census options.
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The case for
Allowing people to identify as both English and members of any ethnic group would recognise that national belonging is not limited to one racial category. Supporters argue that the census should reflect how people understand themselves, give a fuller picture of England’s population and treat English identity consistently with options available in Scotland and Wales.
The case against
Critics could argue that census categories need to remain clear and comparable over time, and that adding combined identity options may complicate data collection or make long-term trends harder to interpret. They may also favour asking separately about national identity and ethnicity, rather than combining them in a single category, while recognising that the existing form could be reviewed.
Explained simply
The census is a count of the people living in the UK, with questions about their backgrounds and identities. In England, the current form lists “English” within the White ethnic group, so people from minority ethnic backgrounds cannot choose that option alongside their ethnicity.
Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde is proposing a change, with support from MPs across several parties. Similar choices are already available in Scotland and Wales, where people can describe themselves as, for example, Scottish Asian or Black Welsh.
The issue matters because census answers help show how people identify and shape public understanding of the population. A 10-minute rule bill gives an MP a way to introduce a proposal, but such bills rarely become law.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “‘Black English’ and ‘Asian English’ should be census options, MPs say”.