Burnham backs bill to add 'Black English' and 'Asian English' to census

Andy Burnham expressed support for a cross-party bill proposed by Liberal Democrat MP Josh Babarinde, which seeks to allow people to identify as Black English or Asian English on the England census. Currently, the census only offers 'English' within the 'White' category, a restriction that contrasts with practices in Scotland and Wales. The push comes in response to claims by Reform UK politicians that minority ethnic individuals cannot possess an English ethnic identity. Proponents of the bill argue that the current definitions are outdated and fail to reflect the diversity of the population.