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BBC Asian Network's Big Debate: Nomia Iqbal

18/09/2017

Nomia Iqbal

BBC Asian Network - BBC Asian Network's Big Debate, Nomia Iqbal

Nomia asks, are MPs given enough respect?

Nomia asks, does society give MPs enough respect? BBC survey reveals the scale of abuse they suffer, including verbal abuse, online intimidation and death threats.

A BBC survey has revealed the scale of abuse suffered by MPs, with 87% saying they were targeted during the general election campaign. Nomia asks if you give MPs enough respect or do you feel sorry for them? Then writer and actress Sudha Bhuchar talks about her play "Child of the Divide", which is touring across the UK. It explores the tragedy of Partition through one child, who becomes separated from his Hindu family in 1947, and is rescued by a Muslim family. Then we discuss the Indian concept of seva- selfless service- with Randhir Singh Heer. He has been embodying the spirit of seva with his group Midlands Langar Seva. It provides food all year round to the homeless, and he's recently won the Pride of Birmingham TSB Community Partner Award. After this, we talk to Lib Dem peer Baroness Sheehan at the Liberal Democrats' conference in Bournemouth. Two and a half years ago they were in a coalition government, but now they only have a dozen MPs. What are they doing to win back voters, especially ethnic minorities and young people? Then Nomia discusses a report which reveals that black and Asian workers who work at professional services firm PwC earn almost 13% less than other staff. The firm said its BAME workers were paid less because more of them worked in junior roles, but they're hoping that publishing the data will help them tackle their "ethnicity challenge". We talk to PwC's head of diversity Sarah Churchman about the report and ask if other companies will follow their lead by being more transparent about their workforce.

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