Combat harassment and violence against all religious groups

Our verdict

• This is a promise to reduce or prevent violence against groups because of their religion.
• In March 2020, the government launched the Faith, Race and Hate Crime Grant Scheme offering funding to “organisations that are working to create safe and integrated communities”. In November 2020, the nine organisations to receive a share of the £1.8 million funding were announced. The government also consulted on ways to protect places of worship, although more than a year has passed since the consultation with no response from government. Recommendations for reform of hate crime legislation are pending, following a consultation by the Law Commission.  These developments are tempered for some by the appointment of Robin Simcox as interim director of the Commission for Countering Extremism, a man seen by many as being biased against certain religious groups.
• The combination of the new grant scheme and the government consultation on places of worship indicate movement towards fulfilment of this pledge, and although the appointment of Robin Simcox has raised concerns in some quarters, for now we think this policy remains ‘in progress’.