The UK government has announced an additional £1 million in funding to support Jewish communities across England, as ministers respond to growing concerns over antisemitism.
The funding will go toward improving community safety and supporting initiatives designed to challenge antisemitic narratives. It comes shortly after a separate £25 million package was unveiled last week to strengthen security following a violent attack in Golders Green.
That incident left two Jewish men — 34-year-old Shilome Rand and 76-year-old Moshe Ben Baila, also known locally as Moshe Shine — hospitalized after being stabbed. In response, police forces nationwide have increased patrols to reassure communities and prevent further attacks.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer is set to host a meeting at Downing Street bringing together senior figures from politics, policing, education, business, and the arts. The aim is to develop what he describes as a “whole of society” approach to tackling antisemitism.
He is expected to stress that standing up against antisemitism is a shared responsibility, describing the rise in attacks on Jewish people as “a crisis for all of us” and “a test of our values.”
The discussions will include senior ministers, police leaders, and representatives from major organizations, including trade unions, universities, and business groups.
Later in the day, the Prime Minister will also chair a session focused on domestic security concerns linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, including the potential risks facing Jewish communities in the UK.
In addition to the £1 million fund, the government has pledged a further £500,000 to Barnet Council, an area that has seen a recent increase in antisemitic incidents.
Communities Secretary Steve Reed said the government is acting quickly to ensure resources reach the areas most at risk. He emphasized that the funding will help local partners take practical steps to protect residents, strengthen community resilience, and confront hate more effectively.
The latest measures form part of a broader effort to address rising antisemitism and provide reassurance to Jewish communities during a period of heightened tension. Photo by Quinn Dombrowski from Berkeley, USA, Wikimedia commons.
