Social Community Cohesion

I was pleased to see the Government present its Social Cohesion Strategy on Monday – a strategy that is needed now more than ever. Just last week, I spoke on the importance of community cohesion during a debate in Parliament to highlight how this strategy is needed now more than ever.

Over the past decade, cuts to local authority and community organisation funding have led to the loss of youth services, community centres and other vital shared spaces. The 2024 riots exposed the scale of the challenges we face, made worse by divisive political rhetoric.

Across the country, hostility based on race, faith, sexuality or gender identity is rising, with nearly 140,000 hate related offences recorded in the year to March 2025. I continue to hear from Guildford residents who face frequent abusive or aggressive interactions - incidents that fall below the threshold of hate crime but are still deeply upsetting, erode trust and damage cohesion. Surrey’s figures show these issues remain significantly underreported, highlighting the need for early intervention so people feel safe to come forward.

Cohesion is built through inclusion and belonging. As MP for Guildford and our villages, I am committed to practical frameworks - such as faith covenants - and supporting the building of relationships that foster trust, improve consultation and strengthen support for residents.