Education Secretary highlights crisis of antisemitism in UK universities
Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson has warned that antisemitism on university campuses is an ongoing and unacceptable problem, demanding that universities take concrete steps to protect Jewish students. In a candid interview and through new policy measures, she outlined how the government plans to address the harassment and discrimination that Jewish students say they endure in academic settings.
Rising antisemitism and student safety on campus
Phillipson cited troubling data from CST showing a 117% increase in antisemitic incidents on campuses between the 2022/23 and 2023/24 academic years compared with the previous two years. She recounted conversations with Jewish students who felt compelled to conceal their identity for safety. “On campus, Jewish students don’t feel safe,” she said, adding that parents worry about sending their children to university under such conditions. The minister underscored that there can be no place for harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in higher education.
Government response: funding, training, and accountability
To address the issue, the government announced a multi-pronged approach. A key element is funding to boost training that helps staff and students identify and respond to antisemitism. The Union of Jewish Students will deliver 600 training sessions aimed at equipping university staff with the tools to support students, identify harassment, and challenge hate on campus.
In addition, a dedicated £4 million fund will support projects that teach pupils and students how to identify misinformation online and promote interfaith understanding. This program is intended to counter the misinformation and harmful rhetoric that often feed antisemitic attitudes among young people and within some university communities.
Separately, £2 million is being allocated to a Holocaust education initiative for secondary school pupils in England. By teaching about the genocide of Jews during World War Two, authorities hope to deepen understanding and resilience against antisemitism in future generations.
Political context and public response
The government’s stance comes amid a broader debate about how to handle antisemitism in the UK. Conservative shadow foreign secretary Priti Patel criticized the Labour government for not doing enough to curb antisemitism, including during protests that have occurred in London and at some universities in response to the war in Gaza. While Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged students not to participate in protests, he has acknowledged concerns about rising antisemitism on the streets and on campus.
Protests over the Gaza conflict, including on university campuses, have continued alongside commemorations and moments of tragedy, such as the massacre in Manchester. The government’s policy package aims to address not just campus life but the broader environment in which antisemitism can flourish.
What universities can and should do now
Phillipson has urged vice-chancellors and university leaders to take immediate action to protect Jewish students. Her letter to university leadership calls for proactive measures to reduce harassment, ensure visible support for affected students, and implement robust reporting mechanisms that allow incidents to be logged, investigated, and addressed quickly. The emphasis is on practical steps—education, enforcement, and an environment in which Jewish students feel safe to study and participate fully in campus life.
Why this matters for students and society
Beyond the immediate safety of Jewish students, tackling antisemitism on campus is framed as essential for academic integrity and social cohesion. When students fear harassment or feel forced to conceal their identities, learning suffers and the campus loses its potential as a space for open debate and mutual understanding. The measures outlined by Phillipson aim to restore faith in higher education as an inclusive environment where diversity is valued and protected.
As universities respond to these calls for action, observers will be watching to see how effectively campuses translate policy into practice, how training is implemented, and how reporting mechanisms perform in safeguarding students against antisemitic harassment. The outcome will signal the long-term health of inclusive higher education in the UK.
