Antisemitism on University Campuses

Lord Cryer Excerpts

Monday 16th March 2026 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Cryer]

To ask His Majesty’s Government what assessment they have made of the prevalence of anti-Semitism on university campuses.

[The Deputy Leader of the House of Lords (Lord Collins of Highbury) (Lab)]

My Lords, there is no place for antisemitism on university campuses, and it is essential that Jewish students feel safe along with everyone else, regardless of race or religion. That is why we have strengthened the Office for Students’ monitoring and universities’ Prevent duties, and updated guidance on managing external speakers and events. We are working with students to codesign a campus cohesion charter setting clearer expectations around conduct and shared values.

[Lord Cryer (Lab)]

I am grateful to my noble friend for the Answer, but this PNQ arises from Time for Change, a report produced by the Union of Jewish Students. It is crammed with disturbing figures, including the fact that one in four students has witnessed antisemitic behaviour. However, the report’s central finding is that antisemitism is being normalised on campus after campus, very often at the behest of wayward academics. Can my noble friend say what further action the Government will take to ensure that universities confront the normalisation of antisemitism and protect Jewish students?

[Lord Collins of Highbury (Lab)]

I thank my noble friend. If anyone was listening to the “Today” programme, they would have heard first-hand the experience of many Jewish students. It was pretty outrageous. It is not only about verbal abuse; there are stories of people being kicked out of their accommodation, and so on and so forth. I reassure my noble friend the Government are investing £7 million to tackle antisemitism in education programmes, train university staff and support Jewish students. Last week, we announced plans to simplify the higher education complaint system, strengthen whistleblowing routes and increase oversight of Prevent compliance with the new OfS guidance from 2027. Additional non-statutory guidance on external speakers will be issued in the spring and the department is working with the Union of Jewish Students on new good practice training for universities. My noble friend Lady Smith will host a round table on 24 March to address these issues.