The Government has called on universities to “demonstrate action” on antisemitism, as Sir Keir Starmer warned there would be “zero tolerance for inaction” amid growing concerns over incidents on campuses.
Speaking at a roundtable in Downing Street with representatives from universities, schools, business and the arts, the Prime Minister said institutions must do more to confront antisemitism and ensure clear consequences are enforced when it occurs.
In remarks setting out a tougher approach, Sir Keir said universities were already expected to have disciplinary processes in place, but that expectations would now be raised further.
“We already expect universities to set out clear disciplinary consequences for antisemitism and to enforce them, and so we will hold them to account on that,” he said.
“Today, I can announce that we will lift the bar higher. When abuses take place, we’re calling on universities to demonstrate action.
“We will now expect them to publish the scale of the problem on their campuses, as well as the specific steps they have taken to clamp down on it. There will be zero tolerance for inaction.”
The Prime Minister said £7 million was being invested to tackle antisemitism in schools, colleges and universities, alongside measures to ensure Holocaust education is taught across the school system.
He told attendees they must act with urgency to identify and address where antisemitism is being allowed to “fester and spread”.
“I’m calling on you to act with urgency, to look clearly at where you are succeeding, and just as clearly at where there is still work to be done,” he said.
Sir Keir added that tackling antisemitism was not the responsibility of any single institution, but a collective duty across society.
“That is the test before us and only by working together will we meet it,” he said.
The Prime Minister also warned that foreign states accused of fuelling hatred or division in the UK would face consequences, with Iran singled out amid suspicions it may be linked to antisemitic incidents under investigation.
“One of the lines of inquiry is whether a foreign state has been behind some of these incidents,” he said.
“We are investigating, of course, all the possibilities, and we are clear that these actions will have consequences if that proves to be the case.
“Our message to Iran or to any other country that might seek to promote violence, hatred or division in society is that it will not be tolerated.”
He added that new legislation would be fast-tracked to address what he described as “malign threats” to national security.
The intervention comes amid heightened concern within government over antisemitic incidents in the UK, with ministers seeking to tighten oversight of both educational institutions and potential foreign interference.
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