Women and Equalities Committee launches new inquiry into community cohesion

• Submit evidence to the inquiry
• Women and Equalities Committee

MPs on the newly appointed cross-party committee, chaired by Labour MP Sarah Owen, will examine the state of community cohesion nationwide and how barriers to it can be best addressed.

The Committee will assess what actions the Government should take to improve and sustain community cohesion across the country. The inquiry comes in the wake of the 2024 summer riots and ongoing threats faced by both Jewish and Muslim communities amid conflict in the Middle East.

It also follows the publication of the Khan Review published in March this year. Dame Sara Khan, the former Government's Independent Adviser for Social Cohesion and Resilience, was tasked with producing an independent review with recommendations to build resilience against extremism, understand its impact, and better support its victims.

The review concluded that local authorities were struggling to manage evolving threats to community cohesion amid a lack of resources, expertise and capability. It also found that there was no adequate strategic approach to cohesion and democratic resilience within Whitehall.

Chair's comments

Women and Equalities Committee chair Sarah Owen MP said:

“Following the summer riots earlier this year, it is more important than ever to examine the present and future challenges to community cohesion at both a local level and across the country.

This timely inquiry will engage with inter-cultural and inter-faith groups to assess the barriers to cohesion and how to improve and sustain it. It will also consider how schools can improve social integration and strengthen the resilience of the next generation.

Against a backdrop of rising social media use, disinformation and misinformation, it is imperative that long-term and workable solutions are identified to neutralise the threats to community cohesion.

The Committee will listen carefully to a wide cross-section of voices within our diverse and multi-faith communities and make evidence-based recommendations to alter the dial on this crucial issue.”

Terms of reference

Terms of reference for the call for evidence:

• What assessments have been made of community cohesion in the UK in a local and national context?
• What are the primary barriers and threats to community cohesion?
• What impact does social media have on community cohesion?
• What can be done at a local and national level to improve community cohesion?
• What examples are there of best practice which has positively impacted community cohesion?
• How should community cohesion be best approached in schools?

The Committee invites written submissions through the inquiry website addressing any or all of the issues raised in the following terms of reference by 31 January 2025.

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