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£1 million expansion of MHCLG’s Common Ground programme will support communities and places facing the greatest risk of antisemitism today
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Plus an additional £500,000 will be allocated immediately to Barnet Council, reflecting the recent serious antisemitic incidents in the borough, following their ask for government support
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Funding builds on the government’s commitment to work closely with Jewish communities to ensure actions work for them and drive real change on the ground
Jewish communities across England will receive a further £1 million of government funding to tackle antisemitism and strengthen community cohesion in those places facing the greatest risk.
An immediate £500,000 will also be allocated to Barnet Council, reflecting recent serious antisemitic incidents in the borough and the large number of Jewish residents there.
There has been an alarming rise in antisemitism both in this country and across much of the globe, including the horrific antisemitic terrorist attacks in Heaton Park and Bondi Beach last year, and an appalling spate of antisemitic attacks in North West London in recent weeks.
To tackle this, the additional funding being announced today will expand MHCLG’s Common Ground programme – which is already providing more than £4 million to communities across the country.
The additional new government funding will power local efforts to counter antisemitism, support safer communities and respond to rising tensions in those towns and cities where our Jewish communities are most fearful and concerned.
The funding will help local people – especially those from Jewish communities and Jewish organisations who have been hit hardest recently – take rapid, visible action, ranging from community safety work and targeted youth and schools initiatives, to interfaith projects and programmes to challenge antisemitic narratives or hate crime.
The investment is in addition to the £25 million announced last week to boost police patrols, specialist officers, and protective security for Jewish communities – taking total funding to £58 million, as well as £7 million to tackle antisemitism in schools, colleges and universities.
Later today the Prime Minister will convene leaders from across society to call for everyone to play their part stamping out antisemitism.
Secretary of State for Housing and Communities said
The horrific rise of antisemitism and anti-Jewish hatred in Britain and across the world is intolerable. I will not rest until Britain is a place where every Jewish person can live openly, safely and proudly.
Our Common Ground programme has already awarded millions of pounds into communities across the country, and today’s expansion of that programme builds on our commitment to tackle hate crime, promote integration and support communities most at risk.
While we know there is more to do, we believe that quickly channelling government funding directly to the communities and places facing the greatest risks today will help local partners to take early, practical action to keep people safe, strengthen communities and stand up to hate.
Under the expansion, councils, faith groups, schools, police, voluntary organisations and local people themselves – especially our Jewish communities – will work together to develop and deliver tailored local action which addresses the challenges they face in their own area today.
The funding forms one part a suite of measures from government to combat antisemitism across all corners of society, including the Protecting What Matters strategy which out plans to tackle extremism and antisemitism wherever it occurs.