Let me begin by saying that I believe Islamophobia is abhorrent and it is right that the Government has a zero-tolerance policy toward it. Such acts have no place in our communities, culture or country.

Colleagues have drawn my attention to five themes of countering hate contained in the Hate Crime Action Plan, which show how this problem is being addressed at every level. These are preventing it from occurring, responding in communities where there are frequent incidents, increasing reporting, improving support for victims, and improving our understanding of hate crimes.

It is important that people can feel safe and secure in their places of worship. Grants are provided for implementing security measures at mosques and other places of worship, and Tell MAMA has been provided over £2.8 million since 2016 to monitor and combat anti-Muslim hatred. Roundtables have been held on Islamophobia and antisemitism co-chaired by senior ministers, focusing in part on discussing the impact of the far right on both Muslim and Jewish communities.

However, hate crimes against Muslims are still significant, which is why more still needs to be done. The independent Commission for Countering Extremism has published studies improving our understanding of all types of extremism. Imam Qari Asim MBE is leading, alongside the Cross-Government Working Group to Tackle Anti-Muslim Hatred, a programme of work to consider a definition of Islamophobia.

The Government also continues to engage with representatives from the Muslim community, experts, academics and government departments through the Anti-Muslim Hatred Working Group to identify and take forward solutions.