Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to her Department's news story entitled Education to play a vital role in building belonging in divided communities, published on 9 September 2026, what specific deficiencies in existing policy led the Government to conclude that a new national community cohesion framework was required.

The government does not consider that existing legislation or policies on community cohesion are deficient. The new community cohesion framework is intended to provide a consistent approach with supporting infrastructure that brings together existing good practice across the education sector.

The framework responds to commitments set out in the ‘Protecting What Matters’ policy paper and has been accelerated due to the rise in antisemitism and other forms of hatred. It is being developed to support colleges, universities and students’ unions in strengthening community cohesion, inclusion and a sense of belonging, while helping education settings to promote respectful engagement across differences and support students from all backgrounds.