Asked by: Andrew Rosindell (Conservative - Romford)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask the Secretary of State for Education, what steps her Department is taking to tackle anti-Semitism in higher education institutions in the South East.
Answered by Robert Halfon - Minister of State (Education)
Antisemitism, intimidation, and threats of violence must never be tolerated on university campuses. The Community Security Trust 2023 annual report highlights the unprecedented increase in antisemitic incidents in higher education (HE). This unacceptable rise is deeply concerning. All antisemitism is abhorrent, and universities should have robust systems to deal with incidents of support for unlawful antisemitic abuse and harassment. The department will not tolerate unlawful harassment or the glorification of terrorism.
Ever since the October 7 attacks, the department has actively intervened to ensure that universities, including those located in the South East, act swiftly and appropriately to deal with incidents of antisemitism. I have reached out to many Vice Chancellors personally when a concern has been raised about antisemitism on their campus.
Furthermore, my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education, and I wrote to all universities on 11 October 2023, urging them to respond swiftly to hate-related incidents and to actively reassure Jewish students that they can study without fear of harassment or intimidation. I wrote again to Vice Chancellors on 16 November 2023, emphasising that they must use disciplinary measures wherever appropriate, highlighting the importance of police engagement, and reiterating that student visas could be suspended where a foreign national is found to have committed or incited acts of racial hatred. This was one of the key actions set out in the five point plan for tackling antisemitism in HE, which was published on 5 November 2023. The plan also involves:
On 22 November, the government announced in the Autumn Statement an additional £7 million over three years to tackle antisemitism in education. The Quality Seal will be the cornerstone of this package for universities, providing a framework of measures that will make clear what good practice is in tackling antisemitism in HE, and making sure that our universities are a safe and welcoming space for Jewish students and staff, as for all students and staff.
The department will not hesitate to take further action across education to stamp out antisemitism and harassment of Jewish pupils, students and staff.
Mar. 15 2024
Source Page: Letter dated 11/03/2024 from Chris Philp MP to Jim Shannon MP regarding whether discussions had taken place with the Devolved Administrations regarding funding to support those who feel unsafe in their communities amid the current protests, as discussed during the Oral Statement on Antisemitism in the UK. 2p.Found: feel unsafe in their communities amid the current protests, as discussed during the Oral Statement on Antisemitism
Mar. 15 2024
Source Page: Letter dated 11/03/2024 from Chris Philp MP to Munira Wilson MP regarding an update on how the £7 million announced in the Autumn Statement to tackle antisemitism in schools and universities had been allocated, as discussed during the Oral Statement on Antisemitism in the UK. 2p.Found: Munira Wilson MP regarding an update on how the £7 million announced in the Autumn Statement to tackle antisemitism
Mentions:
1: Steve Baker (Con - Wycombe) The Government condemn anti-Muslim hatred, just as we condemn antisemitism and all forms of racism and - Speech Link
Asked by: Marquess of Lothian (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Education:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to support Jewish university students following recent increases in incidents of antisemitism on campuses.
Answered by Baroness Barran - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Education)
Antisemitism, intimidation, and threats of violence must never be tolerated on university campuses. The Community Security Trust 2023 annual report highlights the unprecedented increase in antisemitic incidents in higher education (HE) and this unacceptable rise is deeply concerning. All antisemitism is abhorrent and universities should have robust systems to deal with incidents of support for unlawful antisemitic abuse and harassment. We will not tolerate unlawful harassment or the glorification of terrorism.
Since the 7 October attacks, we have actively intervened to ensure that universities act swiftly and appropriately to deal with incidents of antisemitism.
The Secretary of State for Education and the Minister for Skills wrote to all universities on 11 October 2023, urging them to respond swiftly to hate-related incidents, and actively reassure Jewish students that they can study without fear of harassment or intimidation. The Minister wrote again to Vice Chancellors on 16 November 2023, emphasising that they must use disciplinary measures wherever appropriate, highlighting the importance of police engagement, and reiterating that student visas could be suspended where a foreign national is found to have committed or incited acts of racial hatred. This was one of the key actions set out in the five point plan for tackling antisemitism in HE, which was published on 5 November 2023. The plan also involves:
On 22 November 2023, the department announced in the Autumn Statement an additional £7 million over three years to tackle antisemitism in education. The Quality Seal will be the cornerstone of this package for universities, providing a framework of measures that will make clear what good practice is in tackling antisemitism in HE, and making sure that our universities are a safe and welcoming space for Jewish students and staff.
The department will not hesitate to take further action across education to stamp out antisemitism and harassment of Jewish pupils, students and staff.
Mentions:
1: Michael Ellis (Con - Northampton North) the head of the Public and Commercial Services Union, said six years ago that Israel “created” the antisemitism - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Michael Gove (Con - Surrey Heath) We have provided additional funding for the CST and Tell MAMA to counter antisemitism and anti-Muslim - Speech Link
2: Angela Rayner (Lab - Ashton-under-Lyne) We have seen an appalling surge in antisemitism and Islamophobia in recent months, and the previous strategy - Speech Link
3: Alison Thewliss (SNP - Glasgow Central) There has been a desperately worrying increase in Islamophobia and antisemitism since 7 October, and - Speech Link
4: Michael Gove (Con - Surrey Heath) I think it was the case that the independent adviser on antisemitism, Lord Mann, whose work is outstanding - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Afzal Khan (Lab - Manchester, Gorton) opposition from the Archbishop of Canterbury, three former Home Secretaries and three Government advisers on antisemitism - Speech Link
2: Rishi Sunak (Con - Richmond (Yorks)) antisemitic terrorist group, Hizb ut-Tahrir, who chose to serve a Leader of the Opposition who let antisemitism - Speech Link
Mentions:
1: Peter Gibson (Con - Darlington) agree that, in order to see Palestinian self-determination, we need an end to human rights abuses, antisemitism - Speech Link
2: Andrew Mitchell (Con - Sutton Coldfield) clear that there is no place in our society, or anywhere else for that matter, for Islamophobia or antisemitism - Speech Link
Asked by: Tulip Siddiq (Labour - Hampstead and Kilburn)
Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:
To ask the Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, what steps his Department is taking to tackle anti-Semitism.
Answered by Lee Rowley - Minister of State (Minister for Housing)
Anti-Semitism is abhorrent and has no place in our society. No one should ever be a victim of hatred because of their religion or belief and the Government continues to work with police and community partners to monitor and combat it.
That is why on 28 February 2024, the Prime Minister announced that the Community Security Trust will receive further funding of £54 million for 2025-2028, as part of the Jewish Community Protective Security Grant. This is in addition to the commitment made as part of the Autumn Statement for £18 million in 2024/25.