Combating Hatred against Muslims Fund

Alex Norris Excerpts

Wednesday 2nd April 2025 Written Statements

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government (Alex Norris)]

My noble Friend the Under-Secretary of State (Lord Khan of Burnley) has today made the following statement:

The Government have announced a new fund to provide a comprehensive service to monitor anti-Muslim hatred and support victims with applications opening on 7 April 2025.

Last year, police-recorded hate crime statistics found almost two in five of all religious hate crimes targeted Muslims, an increase of 13% in comparison to the year before.

With cases of anti-Muslim hatred on the rise, up-to-date and detailed information on incidents and drivers of this hatred will play a fundamental part in supporting the Government to combat Islamophobia and ensure Muslim communities feel safe and supported.

As well as monitoring and reporting incidents, the grant recipient will work to increase awareness of what hate crime is, encourage victims to come forward to report incidents, and facilitate support for victims of hate. They will work alongside a network of local and national partners and stakeholders including the Government, and faith and belief groups to deliver on this vital work.

The establishment of the fund will contribute to the Government’s commitment to creating safer streets as part of the plan for change, with addressing the rise of Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate playing a crucial part in building safer, stronger and more cohesive communities for all.

The Government will work with communities to confront all kinds of racial and religious hatred to create a more tolerant and understanding society for everyone. The funding announced today is an important step in that mission.

The competition window will be open for six weeks from the 7 April 2025, closing on 18 May 2025 at 11.59 pm.

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