The authorities is predicted to unveil plans for an “anti-Muslim hostility tsar” as a part of its social cohesion technique.
A leaked draft suggests a “special representative” will “champion efforts across the UK to tackle hostility and hatred directed at Muslims and those perceived to be Muslim”.
Under the proposals, £800 million over 10 years could be allotted to 40 areas the place social cohesion is “under pressure”.
The 47-page doc additionally warns antisemitism has turn out to be “normalised in many corners of society” – from colleges and universities to workplaces and the NHS.
The draft was leaked to the Spectator journal, which reported that ministers will unveil the finalised plans in a cross-Government drive subsequent week.
A Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government spokesperson stated: “We do not comment on leaks.”
A brand new definition of Islamophobia can also be anticipated to be set out as a part of steerage on anti-Muslim hatred.
Critics have argued {that a} new definition might act as a backdoor “blasphemy law” and restrict free speech.
Shadow communities secretary Sir James Cleverly stated the proposal for an anti-Muslim hostility “tsar” risked having a “chilling effect”.
He accused Labour of “pandering to sectarianism” after shedding the beforehand rock-solid seat of Gorton and Denton in Greater Manchester to the Greens in a parliamentary by-election final month.
The Tory frontbencher stated: “The Conservatives stand against such divisive tactics.
“As Kemi Badenoch said this week, identity politics is a dead end and our country is headed down a dark road if it fails on sectional interests rather than shared values and freedoms.
“Anti-Muslim hatred is real. But we should tackle it with the existing laws we have for that exact purpose, without undermining free expression.”
Last week, a 55-year-old was charged with possession of an offensive weapon after experiences of a person armed with an axe coming into Manchester Central Mosque throughout Ramadan prayers.
Nobody was injured in the course of the incident.
A report final yr from The Independent revealed that nearly half of Muslim ladies (45 per cent) really feel unsafe on public transport, in comparison with simply 8 per cent of girls nationally.
More than one in three (34 per cent) of Muslim ladies stated they’ve skilled Islamophobic or racist abuse while travelling, the survey of 1,155 individuals in November 2025 discovered.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/islamophobia-government-social-cohesion-antisemitism-b2933758.html