Cross-party MPs want the census to offer broader ethnicity options, including the ability for Britons to describe themselves as both Black and English, The Guardian reported in an exclusive report. Senior MPs are calling for the range of choices to be widened beyond the current arrangement, in which "English" appears only within the White category, according to the same report.

The Guardian described the cross-party push as a riposte to Reform UK politicians who have made claims about people from minority ethnic groups. The material available from that report is cut off before it sets out those claims, so their specifics are not reported here.

BBC News reported that the census should include black English and "Asian English" options, according to a proposal put forward by MP Josh Babarinde. The BBC said the proposal is also supported by other MPs.

BBC News named David Lammy and Sir James Cleverly among the MPs supporting Babarinde's proposal. The BBC report presents the idea as coming from Babarinde, with named colleagues in support, while The Guardian presents it as a call from senior MPs across parties.

Both reports concern the census categories used to record ethnicity. The available material does not say whether either proposal has been formally put to government ministers, what response has been given, or whether any change to the census is under consideration.

Sources: The Guardian: ‘Black English’ and ‘Asian English’ should be census options, MPs say; BBC News: Census should include black English and Asian English options, says MP.