A Cohesion Strategy That Offers Real Hope, If We Build on It Together

Britain urgently needs a story of hope. The Government’s new social cohesion strategy may just be arriving at the right moment to give us that hope, but only if we are committed to building it together.

After the 2024 riots, when Muslims, ethnic minorities, mosques and refugee hostels were attacked following false online rumours, many of our communities felt shaken. The scenes of violence and intimidation around the country are ones many of us won’t soon forget. The fact that ministers are now finally taking cohesion seriously is a chance to turn a period of division into an opportunity for renewal.

One of the most hopeful developments is the Government’s decision to introduce, for the first time, a clear and wide-ranging definition of anti-Muslim hostility. It recognises that hostility includes violence, vandalism, harassment and intimidation, whether physical, verbal, written or online, and that it can also take the form of prejudicial stereotyping or institutional practices that disadvantage Muslims. Crucially, it protects not only Muslims but those perceived to be Muslim, acknowledging the reality that hatred often targets people because of their ethnicity or racial background, treating them as a collective group based on appearance or assumptions. This is a significant step forward, giving the country a shared language for naming and tackling a problem that has too often been minimised or misunderstood.

There is real promise in the direction the Government is taking. The strategy’s use of the Pride in Place initiative to build local cohesion is a smart and welcome move, recognising that belonging is often forged at neighbourhood level. Its commitment to supporting freedom of religion and belief across sectors, including through deeper work with international partners and faith groups here in the UK, signals a more outward-looking, values-driven approach. These are important steps that can help rebuild trust and strengthen the social fabric.

The proposal for a Special Representative on anti-Muslim hostility also marks a meaningful shift in tone. The emphasis on misinformation and media literacy shows an understanding that online falsehoods can, and often do, spill rapidly into offline violence. And the commitment to a whole-of-government approach, supported by better data, offers the possibility of sustained progress rather than short-term reaction.

These moves align with the evidence. Equi’s 2025 report Britain United: Tackling Anti-Muslim Hatred Is Part of the Solution highlighted a 43% rise in anti-Muslim incidents between 2023 and 2024, and estimated that the 2024 riots alone cost the country at least £243 million. But it also showed that public attitudes are far more positive than political and media rhetoric often suggests. A majority of people hold either favourable or neutral views of British Muslims. When shown real stories of Muslim contribution – from charity work to community leadership, engagement becomes overwhelmingly positive.

But hope is not passive. It requires depth, ambition and follow through. And this is where the strategy must now grow. Alongside its strengths, there are some very hard edges: the strategy does not go far enough in tackling far-right extremism, nor does it fully address the divisive drivers behind it. It does not pay sufficient attention to the scale of far-right mobilisation, disruptive protests and the damage they cause to cohesion. At the same time, it speaks at length about special powers to close down charities, enforcement on universities and preachers. Too often, Muslim organisations and charities find themselves disproportionately targeted by enforcement measures, while far-right activity receives less scrutiny. A cohesion strategy can only succeed if it is applied equally and consistently across all forms of extremism.

The new definition of anti-Muslim hostility is a firm foundation, but it now needs to be followed by a broad national action plan, co-designed with the communities most affected. Embedding cultural and faith literacy across public services would help rebuild trust. Moving from engagement to true long-term partnership with faith and community organisations, the people already doing the work of cohesion, is key to turning intent into impact. Recognising Muslim charitable giving as a civic asset, which protects public services, would shift the national conversation from suspicion to contribution.

The Government’s new direction is genuinely hopeful. It offers a chance to rebuild trust, strengthen relationships and tell a more confident story about who we are as a country. But hope becomes real only when matched with action – with deeper partnership, long-term investment and a commitment to ensuring that every community feels seen, valued and protected.

This strategy opens the door. Now we have the chance, together, to walk through it.

Prof. Javed Khan OBE is the Managing Director of Equi.

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