Cohesion – A National Priority, Not Just a ‘Nice to Have’

The Prime Minister’s speech today is a welcome recognition that community cohesion is not a “nice to have,” but a national priority. At a time when trust in institutions is fragile and communities feel increasingly exposed to misinformation and hostility, placing cohesion back at the centre of public debate is both timely and necessary.

Successive governments have often led with the mantra of building social cohesion, from David Cameron’s ‘Big Society’ to, more recently, Rishi Sunak’s bold plan for a modern national service. However, despite grand speeches and announcements, not much has ever materialised. Now, more than ever, the country feels like a tinderbox being stoked by divisive voices on social media. As our research at Equi shows, speeches alone will not rebuild the social fabric of our country. What matters now is whether this government is prepared to act on the evidence and respond to the opportunities left unaddressed by previous governments.

Our 2025 report, Britain United: Tackling Anti‑Muslim Hatred Is Part of the Solution, sets out clearly that anti-Muslim hatred is not a fringe issue. It is a structural challenge with social, political and economic consequences. The 2024 riots cost the country at least £243 million. They also deepened mistrust and damaged intercommunity relations, leaving many British Muslims feeling unprotected by the very institutions meant to safeguard them.

The Prime Minister is right to say that cohesion cannot be taken for granted. But cohesion does not break down because communities are turning against one another. Our research shows the opposite: the majority of the British public hold positive or neutral views of Muslims, and targeted public campaigns that highlight Muslim contributions can shift attitudes even further. The real fault line is trust- trust in institutions, trust in fairness, trust that everyone will be treated with dignity.

The Prime Minister’s speech is welcome, as it opens the door to that conversation. The next step must be a clear commitment to actively reject the political rhetoric that intentionally divides communities. Within this, the government must tackle anti-Muslim hatred, alongside antisemitism and all forms of racism, not as competing priorities, but as interconnected challenges that shape the health and prosperity of our democracy.

A crucial next step is for the government to adopt a clear, credible and widely supported definition of anti‑Muslim hatred. Without a definition, it is impossible to measure the scale of the problem, design effective interventions or hold institutions accountable. The absence of a definition also sends an unhelpful signal: that anti‑Muslim hatred is somehow less urgent or less real than other forms of prejudice. This imbalance creates further polarisation giving opportunities to fringe and populist voices to further utilise these opportunities to highlight mistrust. Communities need clarity, consistency and confidence that their concerns are recognised in policy and will be responded to. A definition would provide the foundation for that trust.

As a member of the Independent Commission on Community and Cohesion, I see how urgently we need a national strategy that is evidence-based, faith-based, faith-literate and rooted in the lived experience of local people. At such a fraught time for our communities, policymakers’ language is important, as it sets the national tone. But cohesion is not built through rhetoric about “unity” alone. It is built through concrete policies that reduce harm, challenge prejudice and ensure that no group is singled out or stereotyped.

If the government is serious about strengthening cohesion, it must also invest in the everyday spaces where trust is built- our schools, workplaces, local services and community organisations. The Pride in Place initiative is a good start. But it needs to also challenge divisive narratives, support digital literacy to counter misinformation and work with, and not around, faith communities.

Britain is at its best when it recognises the contributions of all its people, something we saw firsthand during the Covid-19 pandemic when neighbours, civil society and people from all walks of life played their role. Today’s speech is a beginning. What happens next will determine whether we move towards a more confident, cohesive country or allow old divisions to harden. The government must act with urgency and clarity to proactively address the escalating challenges we face, if it is to avoid being bounced into a reactive response should a more serious situation, such as the summer 2024 riots, occur again.

Equi stands ready to support this work with evidence, insight and a commitment to a fairer, more united Britain for everyone.

Prof. Javed Khan OBE is Managing Director of the public policy think tank Equi.

The views expressed in Equi Comments pieces reflect the author’s perspective and do not necessarily represent the views of Equi. We provide this platform to encourage dialogue on broad themes related to our work, from diverse perspectives.