The government has created an official definition of 'anti-Muslim hostility' and appointed the nation's first tsar to address this form of hatred, according to government statements. This move is supported by a £4 million investment to tackle anti-Muslim hostility, as reported by major media.
The definition of anti-Muslim hostility includes crimes like violence or harassment directed at Muslims or those perceived as Muslim, prejudicial stereotyping to encourage hatred, and unlawful discrimination, according to major media reports. However, the government states the definition is not becoming law and does not mean all anti-Muslim hostility would constitute a crime, as noted in multiple reports.
Critics warn the definition of anti-Muslim hostility could have a chilling effect on free speech and legitimate criticism, according to their statements.
The government will expand powers to tackle extremism by setting up a new whistleblowing route for university staff and giving the Charity Commission powers to shut down charities, according to government announcements. It will also strengthen the Visa Watchlist Taskforce to block hate preachers and extremists from entering the country, as confirmed by officials.
In higher education, the Office for Students will strengthen how it monitors whether universities are meeting Prevent responsibilities, the government said. The government will work to make the Office for Students a whistleblowing body for higher education providers and collaborate with students to co-design a Campus Cohesion Charter, according to official statements.
Additional funding initiatives include a further £5 million investment in the Common Ground Resilience Fund and the introduction of an annual State of Extremism report, as reported by major media. The government is expected to allocate £800 million over 10 years to 40 areas where social cohesion is under pressure, according to a leaked draft.
Professional conduct reforms target racism and antisemitism in healthcare, with the government introducing measures to make it easier to dismiss doctors found to have engaged in such conduct, officials confirmed.
Foreigners who plan to settle in the UK will be given clear expectations for integration, such as learning English, according to major media reports.
Cross-party criticism has emerged regarding the government's anti-terrorism programme Prevent, with a home affairs select committee report stating it is outdated and inadequately prepared to deal with modern extremism challenges, as reported by major media.
A leaked draft of the social cohesion strategy identifies Islamic extremism as the primary danger to social cohesion in the country, according to major media.
Political context includes Conservative accusations against Labour's socio-economic policies, with Labour accused of waging 'war on the middle class' by plotting to impose 'socio-economic duties' on public sector bodies, as reported by major media.