Asked by: Baroness Verma (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask His Majesty's Government why they have created the new Combatting Hatred Against Muslims Fund and not one that commits to combating hatred against people of all faiths.
Answered by Lord Khan of Burnley
All forms of hate crime are completely unacceptable, and this government is committed to tackling this wherever it manifests. Our efforts to build a country of tolerance and inclusion apply to people of all faiths and none.
The recent hate crime statistics showed almost 2 in 5 religious hate crimes were targeted against Muslims, which is why the Government announced this funding to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hate and support victims. With cases on the rise, up-to-date and detailed information on incidents and drivers of this form of hatred will play a fundamental part in supporting the government to combat anti-Muslim hate and Islamophobia and ensure Muslim communities feel safe and supported.
No one should ever be a victim of hatred because of their race or religion and the Government continues to work with police and community partners to monitor and combat this.
The Government has worked with the police to fund True Vision, an online hate crime reporting portal, designed so that victims of all forms of hate crime do not have to visit a police station to report.
We are committed to protecting the right of individuals to freely practise their religion and we will not tolerate religious hatred in any form.
Asked by: Baroness Verma (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to allow local authorities to use the remaining funds allocated to support businesses at the start of the COVID-19 lockdown to support businesses that are facing second or local lockdowns.
Answered by Lord Greenhalgh
The Government has always been clear that underspend from the initial grants schemes for businesses could not be used for other purposes.
Once all?grant monies have been paid out,?local authorities?will need to?carry out a reconciliation exercise?with Government to ensure that they receive the correct amount of funding to meet the cost of grant payments to eligible businesses.
Ministers will continue to consider the need for further responses to second or local lockdowns, recognising that significant support has already been provided to businesses through grants, loans and easements.