Starmer hosts antisemitism summit, pledges £1.5m
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- Sir Keir Starmer declared antisemitism a "crisis for all of us" and called on every part of society to confront the forces driving hatred.
- UK government pledged an additional £1.5 million for community‑cohesion programmes in high‑risk Jewish areas, plus £1 million to expand the Common Ground scheme and £500 000 for Barnet Council.
- Stephen Parkinson issued guidance to fast‑track hate‑crime prosecutions, allowing evidence to be gathered after charges are filed.
- Universities will be required to publish data on campus antisemitism and demonstrate remedial actions, with the government warning it will hold them to account.
- Arts Council England will be expected to withdraw public funding from projects that platform antisemitism.
- Sir Mark Rowley attended the summit and the police have been granted an extra £25 million for patrols and security at synagogues, schools and community centres.
Why it matters: Jewish communities gain new £1.5 m for cohesion programmes and faster hate‑crime prosecutions, while universities and arts bodies face accountability and possible funding cuts; the government also moves to curb foreign‑state interference, reshaping security and funding priorities. The measures also signal a tougher stance on extremist groups and could lead to stricter oversight of campus speech.
