← Back to House of Commons Debates
Social Cohesion Action Plan
09 March 2026
Lead MP
Steve Reed
Debate Type
Ministerial Statement
Tags
Crime & Law EnforcementEconomyEmploymentCommunity SecurityForeign AffairsStandards & EthicsLocal Government
Other Contributors: 16
At a Glance
Steve Reed raised concerns about social cohesion action plan in the House of Commons. A government minister responded. Other MPs also contributed.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Government Statement
Crime & Law EnforcementEconomyEmploymentCommunity SecurityForeign AffairsStandards & EthicsLocal Government
Government Statement
The Minister announced the Government's action plan for social cohesion, titled 'Protecting What Matters', aimed at building confident, cohesive, and united communities. He highlighted the challenges of economic shocks, technological change, intergenerational unfairness, regional inequality, and the impact of austerity policies. The plan includes £5.8 billion for local communities through Pride in Place, fair funding for councils, and £5 million for grassroots organisations to tackle division. It also focuses on protecting young people from harmful influences and promoting social cohesion through measures like linking schools serving different communities, establishing a social cohesion measurement framework, and setting expectations for new arrivals to learn English and respect British values. The plan addresses anti-Muslim hate crimes by adopting a non-statutory definition of anti-Muslim hostility, improving security measures, and tackling antisemitism. The minister also outlined plans to combat extremism in universities and workplaces, protect people from hate content online, and strengthen the Charity Commission's powers to tackle extremist abuse. The overall aim is to promote unity and resilience in the face of division and hate.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
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.
Minister reply
The minister did not provide a specific response to this question in the provided transcript.
Paul Holmes
Con
Hamble Valley
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.
Minister reply
Steve Reed responded by defending the Government's approach, emphasising the need for proactive engagement in tackling extremism and the importance of protecting free speech within legal boundaries. He criticised the previous Government for neglecting social cohesion and cited examples of harmful policies implemented during their tenure.
Tulip Siddiq
Lab
Hampstead and Highgate
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.
Minister reply
Steve Reed acknowledged the issue and emphasised the importance of enforcing anti-discrimination laws. He explained that the definition provided in the strategy aims to help employers understand and address hostility towards Muslims, ensuring they are given equal opportunities.
Marie Goldman
Lib Dem
Chelmsford
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.
Minister reply
Steve Reed thanked the hon. Member for her support and highlighted the 'Pride in Place' funding of £5.8 billion aimed at enhancing community integration and cohesion. He explained that local communities would take decisions on how to spend the funds, often involving multi-faith engagement.
Afzal Khan
Lab
Manchester Rusholme
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?
Minister reply
The Minister thanked the MP for his years of advocacy and emphasised the importance of disseminating the definition widely, through local government, schools, universities, the NHS, and broadcasters, to protect Muslims from abuse and discrimination.
Peter Fortune
Con
Bromley and Biggin Hill
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?
Minister reply
The Minister mentioned reviewing the visa watch list to prevent hate preachers from entering the country and giving the Charity Commission new powers to close down charities promoting division, including antisemitism.
Connor Rand
Lab
Altrincham and Sale West
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?
Minister reply
The Minister thanked the MP for the example and stated that interfaith projects like the one mentioned will make a difference in supporting communities to tackle division.
John Cooper
Con
Dumfries and Galloway
Question
Why are we discussing a blasphemy law by the back door?
Minister reply
The Minister clarified that the definition is intended to protect Muslims from abuse and discrimination, and hopes that everyone in the House will support actions intended to give Muslim people the same chances as anyone else.
Gareth Snell
Lab Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
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?
Minister reply
The Minister stated that the Government intends to bring into force and utilise the powers in the Online Safety Act 2023 to tackle disinformation and hatred spreading division in communities.
Carla Denyer
Green
Bristol Central
Question
How quickly will the Government move from definitions towards a clear and funded roadmap for action, including proper monitoring and accountability?
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed a £5 million funding allocation and mentioned the intention to appoint an anti-Muslim hostility tsar to advise and be a critical friend to the Government in disseminating the definition and supporting the Muslim community.
Sam Carling
Lab
North West Cambridgeshire
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?
Minister reply
The Minister confirmed that the Charity Commission will get new powers to close down organisations that promote hatred and division despite claiming charitable objectives.
Iqbal Mohamed
Ind
Dewsbury and Batley
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?
Minister reply
The Minister stated that it is for the House authorities to determine what happens with Members of this House, but agreed that there is a huge concern about the level of hostility and abuse directed at Muslims, which is likely under-reported.
Scott Arthur
Lab
Edinburgh South West
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?
Minister reply
The Minister mentioned measuring the outcome through new measures as part of the social cohesion framework and engaging directly with major employers, including the NHS, to eliminate discrimination in the workplace.
Ayoub Khan
Ind
Birmingham Perry Barr
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?
Minister reply
The Minister stated that the Government is allocating £5.8 billion to some of the most held-back communities, with local communities deciding how the money will be spent to address poverty and lack of power felt by these communities.
Rachel Taylor
Lab
North Warwickshire and Bedworth
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?
Minister reply
There is much in this report, and I hope that Members will take the opportunity to read it in full, including the definition and the many other proposals. This country is strongest when it is united, and the intention of this report is to bring this country back together in the face of those who have tried to pull our communities apart.
Shadow Comment
Paul Holmes
Shadow Comment
The shadow minister welcomed some measures but criticised the strategy for lacking ambition and action. He highlighted inconsistencies in the Government's position on engaging with extremist organisations, particularly the Muslim Council of Britain. He questioned the transparency of the review process and the proposed definition of anti-Muslim hostility, warning it could undermine free speech and create a back-door blasphemy law. The shadow minister 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. He argued that the Government still struggles to understand and defend a confident and strong national culture.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About House of Commons Debates
House of Commons debates take place in the main chamber of the House of Commons. These debates cover a wide range of topics including government policy, legislation, and current affairs. MPs from all parties can participate, question ministers, and hold the government accountable for its decisions.