Home Secretary Amber Rudd said:
This government is determined to build a Britain that works for everyone.
Those who practise hatred send out a message that it’s okay to abuse and attack others because of their nationality, ethnicity or religious background. That it’s okay to disregard our shared values and promote the intolerance that causes enormous harm to communities and individuals.
Well, I have a very clear message for them. We will not stand for it. Hatred has no place whatsoever in a 21st century Great Britain that works for everyone.We are Great Britain because we are united by values such as democracy, free speech, mutual respect and opportunity for all. We are the sum of all our parts – a proud, diverse society. Hatred does not get a seat at the table, and we will do everything we can to stamp it out.
Ms Rudd, who met campaigners – including LGBT+ equalities groups – working to combat hate crime today, announced that the hate crime action plan will commit government to work to give young people and teachers the tools they need to tackle hatred and prejudice, including through a new programme to equip teachers to facilitate conversations around international events and the impact they have on communities here in the UK. The government will also work with schools on how to better report incidents of hate crime.
A 2014 study carried out by YouGov for Stonewall found that nine in ten secondary school teachers say students in their schools are bullied or called names for being – or being perceived to be – LGBT.