Question to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what estimate he has made of the number of anti-Semitic attacks in the UK in each year since 2010; and what steps his Department is taking to tackle such attacks.

Statistics published by the Home Office and available on the website https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/hate-crime-england-and-wales-2016-to-2017 provide details on the number of hate crimes, although anti-Semitic attacks are not recorded separately. Figures published annually by the Community Security Trust show a disturbing increase in anti-Semitic incidents, with a total of 1,382 incidents reported in 2017.

That is why the UK became the first country to formally adopt the International Holocaust Memorial Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism. It provides a series of practical examples on how anti-Semitism manifests itself in the 21st century. In addition, Government has provided over £13.4 million (17/18) to ensure the security of Jewish faith schools, synagogues and communal buildings.

We believe the best way to tackle anti-Semitism is through effective implementation of the UK’s strong legislation against racial and religious discrimination and racially and religiously motivated crime. We also have a strong relationship with the Jewish community which has been built on the solid work of the Cross-Government working group on tackling anti-Semitism. This ensures that we are aware of any issues and concerns of the Jewish community and can respond quickly.