Judith Moritz

A government-commissioned review has found that antisemitism is placing severe security and educational pressures on Jewish schools in England. Some headteachers report spending most of their time managing security rather than teaching, while Jewish pupils and staff face harassment at school, on public transport and during extracurricular activities. Survey evidence indicates that about one in five children questioned had experienced or witnessed antisemitic behaviour. Sir David Bell is expected to recommend compulsory teacher training, stronger classroom education about antisemitism, and standardised systems for recording incidents.

The Community Security Trust recorded 1,926 antisemitic incidents across the UK in the first half of 2026, a 21% increase from the same period in 2025 and the second-highest first-half total since records began. Arson attacks on Jewish organizations and synagogues, along with the stabbing of two visibly Jewish men in Golders Green, contributed to sharp rises, while 41% of incidents referenced Israel, Palestine, Hamas or the Middle East conflict. Antisemitism in schools also reached a record first-half level, rising 59% to 178 incidents. Government officials and community leaders described the trend as increasingly violent and a threat to democracy, while the government highlighted £250m in additional security funding and an ongoing independent review of antisemitism in schools.

The Community Security Trust recorded 1,926 antisemitic incidents across the UK in the first half of 2026, a 21% increase from the same period in 2025 and the second-highest first-half total since records began. The rise followed arson attacks on Jewish organizations and synagogues in London and the stabbing of two visibly Jewish men in Golders Green. Antisemitism in schools also reached a record first-half level, increasing 59% to 178 incidents. Officials and community leaders link part of the increase to the Israel-Gaza conflict, while warning that anti-Jewish violence poses a broader threat to British society and democracy. The government says it is investing £250m in policing Jewish neighborhoods, and an independent review of antisemitism in schools is due in the autumn.

A J7 report says the UK recorded the largest increase in antisemitic incidents in 2025 among the seven countries with the largest Jewish diaspora communities. Incidents in the UK rose 5% year on year, while antisemitic incidents across Argentina, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, the UK and the US were up 136% since 2022. The report recorded 20 deaths in antisemitic attacks worldwide in 2025, including killings in Australia, the UK and the US. Jewish organisations and advisers warn that online hate, social media and artificial intelligence are helping radicalise perpetrators, and call for stronger laws, security funding, education measures and greater accountability for technology platforms. The UK government has announced £251m to help protect Jewish communities in England.

A J7 report found that the UK recorded the largest year-on-year increase in antisemitic incidents in 2025 among the seven countries with the largest Jewish diaspora communities. Incidents across the UK, US, Canada, Australia, France, Germany and Argentina were still far above pre-7 October 2023 levels, while 2025 was the deadliest year for Jews outside Israel in more than three decades. The report linked rising hostility to online radicalisation and warned that social media and artificial intelligence could contribute to violence. UK officials and Jewish organisations called for stronger security funding, laws, education measures and accountability for technology platforms; the government has announced £251m to help protect Jewish communities in England.

Senior ministers and aides are expected to work regularly from No 10 North in Manchester, the new northern branch of Downing Street championed by Prime Minister Andy Burnham. Education Secretary Lucy Powell and Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster Louise Haigh are among those planning to work there, while several Greater Manchester Combined Authority officials are moving into senior roles. Initially based at Heron House, the operation could grow to as many as 300 staff before moving to a redeveloped brownfield site. Supporters see it as a means of decentralising government and rebalancing power, but civil servants have raised concerns about relocation costs, career opportunities for existing northern staff and whether the project will survive a future government.

Civil servants in London are being offered relocation packages as the government establishes No 10 North in Manchester, overseen by First Secretary of State Louise Haigh. Initially based in Heron House before moving to a new Digital Campus in 2032, the office will form part of a new structure led by the Office for the Prime Minister and the Cabinet. A Re:State report outlines plans to hire around 300 staff and transfer teams from key Whitehall departments now headed by northern MPs. The initiative aims to shift decision‑making on devolution and local economic growth away from London, aligning with Prime Minister Andy Burnham's agenda to rebalance power across the UK.

Families of survivors of the Southport attack accused North West Ambulance Service of breaching trust after learning staff may have improperly accessed victims’ medical records. The allegations follow earlier revelations that dozens of workers at Aintree Hospital viewed records without justification. Solicitors representing survivors called for an NHS England review into data‑access policies, citing a pattern of inappropriate behaviour across NHS trusts. One of the adult survivors described the situation as deeply upsetting, while officials from NWAS and the Information Commissioner’s Office confirmed investigations are under way. Multiple NHS trusts have faced scrutiny recently for similar data breaches involving high‑profile incidents.

Families of survivors of the Southport attack have accused North West Ambulance Service of breaching trust amid an investigation into possible inappropriate access to victims’ medical records. The revelation follows earlier disclosures that staff at Aintree Hospital had improperly viewed records of those injured. Solicitors representing survivors are calling for a full NHS England review of data-access policies. Victims and their families expressed distress over repeated breaches and the lack of clarity about whether sensitive images and information were accessed. NWAS has notified the Information Commissioner’s Office, which is assessing the matter, while similar incidents of unlawful record access have surfaced at other NHS trusts.

MPs are expected to approve the Public Office (Accountability) Bill, known as the Hillsborough Law, after a new amendment removed exemptions for intelligence services. The legislation will introduce a legal duty of candour for public officials in investigations. Campaigners, survivors and relatives of victims praised the move, crediting Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham for helping secure agreement before the summer recess. The bill aims to prevent official cover‑ups and strengthen public accountability following the 1989 Hillsborough disaster.

A woman identified as Gemma described being raped in 2022 by Superdry co-founder James Holder, who was her employer at the time. She recounted returning to work days later and facing him as though nothing had happened. Holder, who had left Superdry years earlier, was sentenced in May to eight years in prison. Gemma detailed a controlling workplace culture and feared reporting him due to his influence within the fashion industry. The company went into liquidation shortly after the assault, enabling her to go to police. She said industry power dynamics enable abuse and urged victims to report assaults. Police said her actions may have prevented further offences.

A woman raped by Superdry co‑founder James Holder recounts returning to work under him after the 2022 assault, describing a culture of control and fear within his businesses and the wider fashion industry. Holder was sentenced to eight years in prison in May, following her report to police after his company entered liquidation. She describes finding renewed freedom after the trial and hopes her case empowers other victims to come forward, while authorities highlight that the conviction shows no one is above the law.