Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the security implications of the annual al-Quds day marches which this year resulted in the arrest of 10 people on charges of racial hatred, public order offences and the assault of an emergency worker.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

During this year's Al Quds day march and counter-protest, the Metropolitan Police Service put public order conditions in place. While there were 10 arrests at last year's Al Quds day protest, in 2025 one arrest was reported on the day. The Government supports the police in using their powers to respond to unlawful behaviour, but the use of these powers is a matter for police who are operationally independent.

Question to the Home Office:

To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to counter Iranian state influence in the United Kingdom including in political, academic and community spheres.

Answered by Lord Hanson of Flint - Minister of State (Home Office)

On the 4^th March, the Security Minister announced to Parliament a concerted package of measures to counter the threat from the Iranian Intelligence Services. This includes our decision to specify Iran on the Enhanced Tier of the Foreign Influence Registration Scheme (FIRS), which will require individuals and organisations directed by Iran to conduct activity in the UK to register with the Home Office. Failure to do so will be a criminal offence.

In concert with partners, the UK Government will continue to use all appropriate tools at our disposal to protect the UK and its people against any threats from the Iranian state, including malign influence.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the state of social cohesion and societal and democratic resilience in the UK; and what indicators they are using to measure cohesion and resilience.

Answered by Baroness Taylor of Stevenage - Baroness in Waiting (HM Household) (Whip)

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is leading cross-Government efforts to develop a longer-term, more strategic approach to social cohesion - working in partnership with communities and local stakeholders to rebuild, renew and address the deep-seated issues. This will include further consideration of how to effectively measure social cohesion.

The Defending Democracy Taskforce, chaired by the Security Minister, has a mandate to safeguard our democratic institutions and processes from the full range of threats, and the Joint Election Security and Preparedness Unit is an enduring function that coordinates election security efforts across Government.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the StandWithUs UK University Campus Polling published on 18 May 2024, what assessment they have made of the finding that 29 per cent of surveyed university students would describe the Hamas attack on 7 October 2023 as an "understandable act of resistance".

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The government is deeply concerned by the findings of the StandWithUs UK University Campus Polling.

Antisemitism is unacceptable, and universities must have robust policies and processes in place for preventing and tackling it. Whilst it is entirely right that universities protect freedom of speech and academic freedom on campus, this does not extend to hate, harassment or incitement. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education recently met with Vice Chancellors to discuss what more could be done to address the continued unacceptable level of antisemitism on our campuses.

From August 2025, the Office for Students’ new condition of registration for preventing, addressing and investigating incidents of harassment will take effect and universities will be held to account for their action. Furthermore, under the Prevent duty, the Office for Students monitors and evaluates whether universities and other higher education providers have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism.

The government is also investing £7 million to tackle antisemitism in education, including support for Jewish student welfare and remains committed to ensuring that all students can study in safety and dignity.

Question to the Department for Education:

To ask His Majesty's Government, with regard to the StandWithUs UK University Campus Polling published on 18 May 2024, what assessment they have made of the finding that 38 per cent of university student surveyed think that people who publicly support Israel should expect to face abuse on campus.

Answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern - Minister of State (Minister for Women and Equalities)

The government is deeply concerned by the findings of the StandWithUs UK University Campus Polling.

Antisemitism is unacceptable, and universities must have robust policies and processes in place for preventing and tackling it. Whilst it is entirely right that universities protect freedom of speech and academic freedom on campus, this does not extend to hate, harassment or incitement. My right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Education recently met with Vice Chancellors to discuss what more could be done to address the continued unacceptable level of antisemitism on our campuses.

From August 2025, the Office for Students’ new condition of registration for preventing, addressing and investigating incidents of harassment will take effect and universities will be held to account for their action. Furthermore, under the Prevent duty, the Office for Students monitors and evaluates whether universities and other higher education providers have due regard to the need to prevent people being drawn into terrorism.

The government is also investing £7 million to tackle antisemitism in education, including support for Jewish student welfare and remains committed to ensuring that all students can study in safety and dignity.

Found: Professor in Political Science at University of Birmingham) (SCS0023) 7 Dame Sara Khan DBE (SCS0039) 8 Lord Walney

Found: Professor in Political Science at University of Birmingham) (SCS0023) 7 Dame Sara Khan DBE (SCS0039) 8 Lord Walney

Found: Jon Cockcroft: Lord Walney is very supportive of this and has hopefully sent you all a letter.

Found: Jon Cockcroft: Lord Walney is very supportive of this and has hopefully sent you all a letter.

Get Refusal APPG
Tuesday 17th June 2025

Found: Luke Akehurst MP Jo White MP Lord Polak Baroness Ramsay Baroness Sarah Ludford APOLOGIES Lord Walney

Get Refusal APPG
Tuesday 17th June 2025

Found: Attendees Alex Baker MP Rebecca Harris MP Lord Mendelsohn Baroness Whittaker Ruth Cadbury MP Lord Walney

Humanist APPG
Thursday 12th June 2025

Found: Rachel Hopkins MP Cameron Thomas MP (online) Lord McCabe Lord Dubs Baroness Burt Lord Walney

Israel APPG
Tuesday 10th June 2025

Found: No decisions or votes taken. 20th November 2024 - External Speaker: Eylon Levy Attendees: Lord Walney

University APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: Lord Walney (Crossbench) said it was deeply disturbing that extremist ideology had been adopted by many

Small Modular Reactors APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: David Mundell Lord Walney (Officer) Baroness Bloomfield

Small Modular Reactors APPG
Wednesday 11th June 2025

Found: officers were elected unanimously: • Andrew Bowie MP (Con) • Catherine Atkinson MP (Lab) • Lord Walney

Found: Reviewer of Terrorism Legislation) • Lord Goodman • Lord Anderson (Interim Prevent Commissioner) • Lord Walney