At least half a million Latin Americans live in the UK. A population the size of Manchester, Cardiff or Edinburgh. But in national statistics, we do not exist.

There is no Latin American category in the UK Census or any official ethnicity classification. Our communities face real inequalities — in health, housing, work, and safety — yet none of it is recorded. What is not counted cannot be seen, and what cannot be seen cannot be addressed.

We have spent over a decade proving this can change. CLAUK convenes organisations and community leaders in London, Manchester, Birmingham and Swansea, serving 11,000 families every year. In the last two months, we have reached over 33,000 people — with 400 directly engaged through community information sessions. This is a community mobilising.

And we are already winning. The boroughs where we live and work — Southwark, Lambeth, Islington, Hackney, Newham, Haringey, and Lewisham — have formally recognised us. The Greater London Authority recognised Latin Americans in 2015. Cross-party MPs including Neil Coyle, Bell Ribeiro-Addy, Ben Coleman, Helen Hayes, Florence Eshalomi, and Jeremy Corbyn are backing our campaign.

The ONS is reviewing its Census 2031 consultation responses now. Recommendations land in summer 2026. This is our moment.

Write to your MP today. Ask them to back a Latin American category in the 2031 Census — and make sure we are finally counted.