Social Cohesion Action Plan

Question

The shadow minister questioned the transparency of the review process and the proposed definition of anti-Muslim hostility. He warned that the definition risks undermining free speech and creating a back-door blasphemy law. He also criticised the Government's approach to promoting the English language and addressing family voting practices that limit women's participation. He called for the Government to challenge anti-Israel boycotts and divestment campaigns in local government and enforce the law.

Question

Paul Holmes criticised the lack of transparency and consistency in the Government's approach to extremism, questioning the reversal of previous policies and the contradictory statements regarding the Muslim Council of Britain. He also raised concerns about the review process and the proposed definition of free speech, suggesting it could undermine legitimate criticism and free speech.

Question

Tulip Siddiq raised practical concerns about job discrimination faced by people with Muslim-sounding names, highlighting research showing they are three times less likely to receive positive responses when applying for jobs. She asked the Secretary of State how she could support young Muslim and black men in her constituency who face such discrimination.

Question

Marie Goldman welcomed the strategy and called for practical support for local authorities to implement faith covenants and build communities through shared spaces and green spaces. She highlighted the need for financial support, given that many councils are financially strained.

Question

The publication of the definition of anti-Muslim hostility has been almost a decade in the making. Will the Minister commit to an extensive outreach programme with a diverse range of Muslim community groups to ensure that the definition has the necessary community buy-in to tackle the deep-rooted hatred faced by Muslims in Great Britain?

Question

What action is the Secretary of State taking to protect the Jewish community from those who may see Israel’s involvement in Iran as an excuse to attack British Jews?

Question

Is the 'The Rabbi and The Imam' project the kind of initiative that the Government and society need to get behind to counter extremism and hatred?

Question

Why are we discussing a blasphemy law by the back door?

Question

What action will be taken to address those who perpetrate myths about people and what resources might come from the Department to achieve that?

Question

How quickly will the Government move from definitions towards a clear and funded roadmap for action, including proper monitoring and accountability?

Question

Will the Charity Commission have a range of sanctions to impose where needed, and that there will be clear communication with HMRC to ensure that sanctioned and shutdown charities can no longer abuse public money through Gift Aid?

Question

How will this definition be integrated into the Nolan principles, and what sanctions will apply to Members of this House and Members of the other place?

Question

Will the Secretary of State confirm that the measures presented today will result in a change of culture, rather than simply addressing events? How will we measure that as we proceed through the remainder of this Parliament?

Question

How does the Secretary of State see this definition incorporated, in terms of holding our far-right media and social media platforms to account, and how do we balance that with addressing the cost of living crisis?

Question

As part of my work on the Women and Equalities Committee, I have heard at first hand from victims of horrific hate crimes, who have been targeted just because of how they looked and who they were. Will the Secretary of State confirm that this Labour Government will finally deliver the funding, resources and a call to action to empower communities like mine in North Warwickshire and Bedworth, to bring people together and to combat those seeking to create division and hatred across this country?