Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Community Cohesion

Monday 2 September 2024 · 9 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 3 Partly answered 4 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial concerns were raised about the deep-rooted weaknesses in society exposed by recent violent incidents.
  • Faith leaders across Aldershot and Farnborough were commended for their efforts to promote tolerance and understanding.
  • The government committed to addressing the housing crisis by setting ambitious targets to build 1.5 million homes, including social homes.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Jacob Collier Lab Burton and Uttoxeter
Community Security
Context

The MP raised concerns about division and decline, citing rising Islamophobia and racism as factors contributing to recent violence in several towns.

Question

What steps her Department is taking to help promote community cohesion. Last month's appalling violence exposed deep-rooted weaknesses in our society. Division and decline, combined with rising Islamophobia and racism, contributed to the vile scenes of hatred. I am concerned about these issues.

Answer from Angela Rayner

Last month's appalling violence exposed deep-rooted weaknesses in our society. Division and decline, combined with rising Islamophobia and racism, contributed to the vile scenes of hatred. I am determined that we should now support the recovery of towns and cities affected, and investment in community cohesion. That has started with a comprehensive support offer for Southport, and I can confirm that I will now lead cross-Government efforts on this issue. I will update the House on our plans in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific steps or commitments beyond general statements of intent.

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Q2 Alex Baker Lab Aldershot
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

The MP highlighted the work faith leaders are doing to promote tolerance and understanding across communities.

Question

Will the Deputy Prime Minister join me in commending the many faith leaders I have met across Aldershot and Farnborough who are working to promote tolerance and understanding across our community? Can she outline what her Department is doing to encourage those community leaders?

Answer from Angela Rayner

I thank my hon. Friend for her question. I was proud to serve alongside my good friend Jo Cox in this House, and her words about our common humanity and what unites us ring as true as ever. I have met many local communities, businesses and other groups affected by the acts of deplorable violence that we have seen across the country in recent weeks, including in places such as Stoke-on-Trent and Rotherham.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific actions or commitments to encourage faith leaders beyond general statements about visiting affected communities.

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Q3 Noah Law Lab St Austell and Newquay
Housing Community Security
Context

The MP expressed concern about the housing crisis in Cornwall, leading to many locals being priced out or facing homelessness.

Question

Our community cohesion in Cornwall is being undermined by the housing crisis, with many locals priced out or even facing homelessness. This matter requires urgent attention, and I am therefore pleased that this Government have placed building new homes at the top of our legislative agenda. Can the Deputy Prime Minister ensure that we are building the right kinds of homes in Cornwall—namely, social homes?

Answer from Angela Rayner

Absolutely, and my hon. Friend is right. We are strengthening housing targets and acting to ensure that local plans are ambitious enough to support this Government's commitment to 1.5 million homes in this Parliament, including social homes. Under our new proposals, assessed housing need across Cornwall would increase by around 65%, demonstrating our commitment to approving the supply of new homes that his constituents desperately need.

Answered
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Q4 Jacob Collier Lab Burton and Uttoxeter
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

The MP highlighted an initiative by the Princess Street mosque in Burton-upon-Trent where they opened their doors to the wider community for education about Islam.

Question

Following the horrific Islamophobic attacks experienced by Muslim communities around the country, the Princess Street mosque in Burton-upon-Trent opened its doors to the wider community so that everyone could learn more about Islam and see their place of worship. This was a way to challenge misinformation and promote mutual understanding. Does the Deputy Prime Minister welcome this as an example of how communities can help bring people together?

Answer from Angela Rayner

I absolutely welcome it, and I commend the actions such as those taken by the Burton-upon-Trent mosque. I agree with my hon. Friend that building understanding among those from different backgrounds is vital to fostering strong communities. This Government are committed to working with communities around the UK to build a culture of cohesion, trust and mutual respect and we will outline further actions in due course.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide specific commitments or steps but acknowledged support for initiatives.

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Q5 Lee Dillon Lib Dem Newbury
Housing
Context

The MP discussed the importance of community infrastructure being developed alongside new homes to foster cohesive communities.

Question

Could I ask the Secretary of State whether she agrees, given the commitment to build 1.5 million new homes, that community cohesion comes from a planning system where community infrastructure is front-loaded in development?

Answer from Angela Rayner

I absolutely agree that it is important that infrastructure is built around our 1.5 million homes target. That is why we set out the proposals in the consultation on the national planning policy framework to ensure that people see the homes they desperately need, the right homes that they need and the vital infrastructure around that.

Answered
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Q6 Jim Shannon DUP Strangford
Community Security
Context

The MP highlighted positive responses from his constituency where individuals were caught and the community came together after an attack on a mosque.

Question

I thank the Deputy Prime Minister for her answers. Sometimes it is easy to dwell upon the negativity, but there are positives as well. There were positives in my constituency when two people decided to burn down the mosque, because they were caught by the police and they will hopefully be imprisoned, and because the community came together, which is the issue I want to put over.

Answer from Angela Rayner

It is always a pleasure to hear from the hon. Member, and he is absolutely right. When I was visiting those communities, I saw them coming together. I saw the way in which they worked well and the way in which everybody looked out for each other.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The answer did not provide any concrete actions or commitments beyond acknowledging positive community responses.

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Q7 Tim Farron Lib Dem Westmorland and Lonsdale
Culture, Media & Sport
Context

The MP discussed a historical event where almost half the surviving children of Nazi death camps were rehabilitated on the banks of Windermere.

Question

In Westmorland, we have a story that has underpinned cohesion for decades. That is the true story of the Windermere children. In August 1945, almost half the children who survived the Nazi death camps were rehabilitated on the banks of Windermere at Troutbeck Bridge. I wonder if the Deputy Prime Minister would agree to meet me, because a group of us, including members of the '45 Aid Society and the local school, want to build a lasting memorial at Troutbeck Bridge, on the site where the children were housed.

Answer from Angela Rayner

I congratulate the hon. Member on his work in this area. Either myself or one of my Ministers will be happy to meet him.

Answered
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Q8 Kemi Badenoch Con North West Essex
Community Security Religion & Faith
Context

The Khan review into social cohesion has been published, addressing community issues and the previous government's approach to divisiveness.

Question

Can the right hon. Lady give me her assessment of the Khan review into social cohesion?

Answer from Angela Rayner

The Khan review is part of addressing community issues rather than the divisiveness seen under the previous government. The tone and language from Members on the right need to change to bring communities together, respecting differences and celebrating what makes Britain diverse.

Not addressed: Specific assessment or evaluation of the Khan review

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Q9 Kemi Badenoch Con North West Essex
Education Community Security
Context

A 2021 incident at Batley grammar school involved a teacher in hiding due to local police and council failures. There are concerns about rising Islamist sectarianism.

Question

The right hon. Lady has not read the Khan review, as she would not have given that answer if she had. The review talks about the 2021 incident at Batley grammar school where a teacher was failed by local police and the local council and had to go into hiding. Given the fears about the rise of Islamist sectarianism in communities such as West Yorkshire, what are the right hon. Lady's plans to ensure such incidents do not happen again?

Answer from Angela Rayner

I have read the review. The previous government stoked division rather than promoting cohesion. As shadow Education Secretary, I worked towards unity across education. If successful in her bid, the right hon. Lady should work with us to celebrate diversity and bring communities together.

Not addressed: Specific plans to prevent incidents like Batley grammar school

How: I Have Read The Review, Previous Government Stoked Division

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